Sundowns exit from African Football League a possibility, here’s why
Mamelodi Sundowns’ participation in the newly formed African Football League has been thrown into doubt just three weeks before the competition’s quarterfinals.
The new club competition roars to life on October 20, 2023, a year after CAF formally announced it.
The South African champions are among eight teams participating in the competition’s inaugural edition.
The teams were drawn from each of the top-ranked leagues on the continent. The Brazilians joined reigning African champions Al Ahly, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, Esperance, TP Mazembe, Nigeria’s Enyimba, Simba SC from Tanzania, and Petro Atletico from Angola.
The Premier Soccer League Board of Governors met on Thursday, 28 September 2023, to discuss the matter. A Sundowns representative reportedly had to be excused from the meeting. Here are two reasons why the BoG is objecting to the Brazilians’ participation.
WHY SUNDOWNS’ PARTICIPATION HANGS IN THE BALANCE
Firstly, communication with the PSL was not received until September 16, 2023, after the DStv Premiership season had already started. South Africa’s 2023/24 season kicked off on August 4, 2023.
The fixtures were already done. For the PSL to endorse the Tshwane giants’ participation would mean altering the fixtures and extending the league programme by over three weeks.
Traditionally, the league and promotional/relegation playoffs are concluded by the end of June. That calendar aligns with player contracts, and a scenario where the league would overlap by a month would complicate matters for clubs.
According to the African Football League fixtures released recently, the quarterfinals kick off on October 20, with the second leg of the final set for November 12, 2023. It would mean Downs missing three weeks of action on the domestic scene. They already have the CAF Champions League campaign. In addition, South Africa also has a new cup competition, the Carling Knockout Cup, which slightly extends the season.
Secondly, the communication also came from Rwanda, where the African Football League is headquartered. The letterhead used provides little detail about the organisers. The letter was sent to the CEO of the PSL [Mato Madlala], and SAFA was copied. Indications are that there has been little communication from the continent’s football mother body with the league regarding the tournament.
Sundowns are aware of the developments, but their next step is unclear. An enquiry was sent to the PSL on Friday morning, but the league was yet to respond at the time of publishing. If Sundowns are forced to withdraw from the competition, it would be a major blow to the competition.
African Football League Fixtures:
Quarterfinal first leg
Friday October 20: Simba v Al Ahly, Dar-es-Salaam
Saturday, October 21: TP Mazembe v Esperance, Lubumbashi
Petro Atletico v Mamelodi Sundowns, Luanda
Sunday, October 22: Enyimba v Wydad Casablanca, Uyo
RELATED STORY: Sundowns get off to a winning start in the Champions League
*This is a developing story.