In a thrilling turn of events for football enthusiasts in South Africa, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has just announced that two local broadcasters will be airing the 2024/25 CAF Interclub competitions.
This news is a breath of fresh air for fans who have been eagerly waiting to watch these prestigious matches.
A Long-Awaited Opportunity
For quite some time, South African fans have felt the sting of missing out on the CAF inter-club competitions.
The absence of broadcasting rights secured by SABC and SuperSport had left fans without access to thrilling matches.
Now, with this announcement, the floodgates have opened, allowing local fans to fully engage with the tournament.
CAF’s statement confirms that the broadcasting rights cover several significant tournaments this season, including the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2024/25, the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2024/25, the CAF Women’s Champions League 2024, and the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup 2025.
This means fans can look forward to a rich lineup of games showcasing the best in African football.
South Africa’s Strong Representation
South Africa has a robust presence in the CAF inter-club scene this year, with three teams making it through to the group stages.
While Sekhukhune United was unfortunately knocked out in the preliminary rounds, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have earned their spots in the Champions League group stage.
Additionally, Stellenbosch FC has made a remarkable debut, qualifying for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup, adding to the excitement.
SuperSport and SABC Join Forces
The broadcasting rights have been granted to SuperSport TV and SABC, alongside Azam Media, allowing them to bring live matches of the CAF inter-club competitions to viewers.
According to the official statement, CAF has reached agreements with SuperSport International for the English-language PayTV rights, while SABC and Azam Media will handle the Free to Air (FTA) rights.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe shared his enthusiasm regarding the increasing global interest in African football.
He noted that many major African and international broadcasters are keen on acquiring CAF media rights, which reflects the growing popularity of the sport.
Growing Audience Engagement
CAF revealed that TV audiences during the 2023/24 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League increased by over 25% in North Africa, with even more impressive growth of over 40% in East Africa and Southern Africa for both TV audiences and digital engagement.
This upward trend highlights the expanding fanbase and the rising competitiveness of African football on the global stage.
Motsepe expressed optimism about the future, stating, “The exponential growth and global competitiveness of football in Africa has resulted in substantial interest from major African and international broadcasters in African football.”
He welcomed SuperSport, SABC, and Azam Media as partners in this venture, emphasizing their commitment to providing world-class broadcast products for CAF competitions.
What’s Next for Fans?
With these exciting developments, South African football fans have much to look forward to in the upcoming season.
The return of live broadcasts for CAF inter-club competitions means more thrilling matches, increased fan engagement, and a celebration of the talent present in African football.
It’s time to gear up and support our teams as they compete on this grand stage!
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