Latest news with #CAF
CAF
4 hours ago
- Sport
- CAF
WHERE TO WATCH: TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Final expands global viewership footprint to Eastern Europe
Published: Saturday, 31 May 2025 With less than 24 hours to go before the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced an increase in global broadcasters for the decider. The final between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns will be played on Sunday, 1 June in Cairo at 20h00 Cairo Time (17h00 GMT). The two sides played to an entertaining 1-1 draw in Pretoria last weekend. In recent years, the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League has experienced unprecedented television growth, solidifying its place as one of the fastest-growing continental football competitions in the world. For the first time, fans across 49 international territories, including countries in Eastern Europe, will be able to watch the second leg of the final live. This marks a significant leap forward in CAF's mission to bring African football to the world stage. TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Final Viewership Details: In Africa: SuperSport – English and Portuguese (Sub-Saharan Africa) – English and Portuguese (Sub-Saharan Africa) SABC Sport – Free-to-air (South Africa) – Free-to-air (South Africa) Canal+ – French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa – French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa Azam Media – Tanzania and East Africa – Tanzania and East Africa New World TV – Francophone and Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa – Francophone and Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa beIN Sport – MENA, France, Asia-Pacific, Americas International Markets: Portugal: SPORT TV SPORT TV Netherlands: ZIGGO ZIGGO Germany, Austria, Switzerland: WEDOSPORT WEDOSPORT Czech Republic & Slovakia: TV ARENA TV ARENA Poland: SPORTKLUB SPORTKLUB Balkans: SPORT KLUB SPORT KLUB Eurasia: SETANTA SETANTA Israel: SPORT 5 SPORT 5 Worldwide Streaming (excluding certain territories): With its enhanced global visibility, iconic new trophy, and elite clubs competing at the highest level, this year's TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final is poised to be the most widely followed edition in the tournament's history. -ENDS- Further Inquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns must seize the 'advantage' after Pyramids suffer 'disaster'
In a rare twist of fortune for a South African football team in CAF competitions, Mamelodi Sundowns find themselves in a promising position ahead of the second leg of the CAF Champions League final. The clash against Egypt's Pyramids FC on Sunday in Cairo follows a hard-fought 1–1 draw in the first leg at Loftus Stadium last weekend. While Sundowns are looking to secure their second Champions League star, the challenges for Pyramids FC have mounted significantly. Despite scoring a valuable away goal in Pretoria, Pyramids head into the return leg under testing circumstances. The Egyptian Professional Clubs Association has refused to postpone their league fixture against Ceramica Cleopatra, which was scheduled for Wednesday — just days before the continental final. This decision has prompted coach Krunoslav Jurčić to label the situation a 'disaster.' He expressed frustration at what he sees as a lack of support from the domestic football authorities, leaving his side to face a relentless schedule with little respite. 'We are one club; we don't have any support from the Egyptian football authorities. Zero support. We're alone. This is a disaster. I don't want to say any bad words,' said Jurčić. He emphasised that the fatigue from a midweek fixture could prove costly, especially when preparing to face a strong and disciplined side like Sundowns in a high-stakes match. Meanwhile, although Sundowns conceded a late equaliser at Loftus, head coach Miguel Cardoso remains optimistic about their chances in Cairo. He underlined the importance of staying mentally strong and maintaining belief in their ability to win on Egyptian soil. "We can't afford to let our guard down, but I believe in my team. We have the capacity and the strength to go there and fight with them,' said Cardoso. He stressed the need for a winning mindset: 'There is only one thing to do, and that is picking up the attitude and going there to win. We can score more than one goal to balance the game to our side and take it from there.' Cardoso's comments reflect the determined spirit that has characterised Sundowns' journey throughout the tournament. Despite setbacks, he insists this is a moment to draw upon collective resolve, not retreat. 'It is time to understand that the situation is there, this match is still open, and we just have to believe.' Reflecting on the first leg, Cardoso acknowledged that lapses in focus contributed to the late equaliser. He said his side lost their attacking impetus after taking the lead and became overly focused on defending the result. 'After we scored the goal, the team started thinking about closing the result rather than going for a second goal,' he explained, noting that this shift in mentality created vulnerabilities that Pyramids ultimately exploited. Now, as both teams prepare for the decisive second leg, the stakes could not be higher. For Sundowns, it's a chance to add another star to their badge and solidify their status among Africa's elite. For Pyramids, it's a battle not just on the pitch, but against mounting pressure, fatigue, and internal frustrations.
Ya Biladi
a day ago
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Morocco to host Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024 : Full schedule and key matches revealed
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the official schedule for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2024) on Friday. The tournament will take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26. The opening match will feature the host nation against Zambia (Group A) on Saturday, July 5, at 9:00 PM local time at the brand-new Rabat Olympic Stadium, according to a CAF statement. The following day, three matches are scheduled, including the highly anticipated clash between Nigeria—the most successful nation in African women's football—and Tunisia, the statement adds. Morocco's second group match is set for Wednesday, July 9, at 8:00 PM against Congo, followed by a game against Senegal on July 12 at 8:00 PM. Group B includes Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana, while Group C features South Africa, Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania. The semifinals will be held on Tuesday, July 22, with the final scheduled for Saturday, July 26, at 9:00 PM, again at the Rabat Olympic Stadium. Building on the success of previous editions, the Women's CAN Morocco 2024 reflects the rapid growth of CAF competitions over the past four years. Records are expected in stadium attendance, global television audiences, and digital engagement, CAF said. To meet the highest international standards, CAF will use cutting-edge technology to deliver live, high-definition broadcasts of all 26 matches to a global audience via its television partners. Last Tuesday, CAF announced the six stadiums that will host the tournament's matches: Larbi Zaouli and Père Jégo Stadiums in Casablanca, the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia, Honor Stadium in Oujda, and the Municipal Stadium in Berkane.
CAF
a day ago
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2024 Match Schedule Announced
Published: Thursday, 29 May 2025 The Confédération Africaine de Football's ('CAF') has announced the match schedule of the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Morocco 2024 from 5-26 July, 2025. The opening match will be played on Saturday, 5 July 2025 between hosts Morocco and Zambia at the newly built Olympic Stadium in Rabat at 21h00 local time (20h00 GMT). On the following day, there will be three matches, including the most successful African Women's National Team, Nigeria, up against Tunisia at 17h00 local time. Defending champions South Africa begin their title defence on Match Day 3 (07 July), facing Ghana in a Group C opener at the Honneur Stadium in Oudja, while Mali and Tanzania will round off the day's fixtures with an exciting evening encounter in Berkane. The Final will be played on 26 July 2026 at 21h00 in Rabat at the Olympic Stadium. To view all of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024 fixtures, CLICK HERE for the Full Match Schedule. As seen across all CAF competitions over the last four years, the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024 is expected to build on the record-breaking success of its previous editions, with expectations to surpass past figures in stadium attendance, global broadcast viewership and engagement across digital platforms. In line with its world-class international broadcast standards, CAF will utilise state-of-the-art technology to deliver live, high-definition coverage of all 26 matches to a global audience through its various TV partners. In addition to the live coverage, fans are encouraged to engage with the exclusive behind the scenes content across CAF's digital platforms, using #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024. TOTALENERGIES WAFCON, MOROCCO 2024 GROUPS GROUP A: Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, DR Congo GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana GROUP C: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania For more on the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024, visit Further Inquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Has CAF football become bring?
African football is at risk of falling behind on the global stage if the current status quo remains. This season's CAF Champions League knockout phase has been average at best, and at times downright boring. Last Saturday's 1-1 draw in the final of the first leg between Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC at Loftus Versfeld was a perfect example of a match that didn't live up to the hype. It was a damp squib that promised fireworks and delivered a flicker. It has further ignited an uncomfortable conversation that African football can no longer afford to ignore. ALSO READ: Chiefs-linked striker inks new long term deal with Richards Bay In today's world of endless entertainment options, African football can't afford to be stagnant. The strategies and structures that worked decades ago might no longer be relevant because the game has evolved, and so must we. African football is at risk of falling behind on the global stage if the current status quo remains. UEFA recognised this reality in 2021 when it scrapped the away goals rule in its club competitions. Since then, the champions league has become a spectacle in the knockout rounds. Teams no longer play with the handbrake on, fearful of conceding a goal at home. Instead, matches have become open, entertaining and filled with goals. Just this season, the competition has produced 47 goals from the quarter-finals to the semi-finals across 12 games, with none of the games ending goalless. By comparison, a meagre 18 goals were scored in the same period of Africa's elite club competition. The first legs of both semi-finals ended goalless. There were two other stalemates in the quarter-finals. These numbers are more than just statistics, they are a reflection of what fans are being served. The current format in CAF encourages a conservative, often cynical brand of football. Teams are more interested in protecting slim leads and playing the numbers game rather than entertaining their fans or showcasing their full attacking potential. We've reached a point where defensive tactics are praised, not out of admiration, but because we've normalised low-risk football. I've covered CAF football for years, and while the tournament remains one of the most magical in the world, I can't ignore the concerning dip in quality and spectacle during the knockout stages. Sundowns and Pyramids FC now have one game to change the narrative, but don't hold your breath as Pyramids are likely to protect their slim advantage. They will waste time, play on the counter and this is because of a rule that prioritises caution over entertainment. Goals bring excitement and they help sell the sport to the younger audience. They should know about Teboho Mokoena just as much as they admire Jude Bellingham, but I have younger relatives that would rather watch Real Madrid play than continental football. ALSO READ: Chelsea aim higher after Conference League triumph The away goals rule may have had its time, but that time might be up. If CAF wants to remain relevant and exciting, it's time to embrace bold change because the football we are watching now just isn't good enough.
