In a major boost for South African football fans, CAF has announced that two local broadcasters have secured the rights to broadcast the 2024/25 CAF Interclub competitions.
This significant development marks a breakthrough for SA football fans, who have been deprived of the opportunity to watch CAF inter-club competitions for an extended period due to the failure of SABC and SuperSport to secure broadcasting rights.
CAF, in a statement, said that the rights for the current season extend to prestigious tournaments such as 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.
South Africa boasts a formidable presence in the CAF inter-club competitions, with three teams progressing to the group stages. While Sekhukhune United were eliminated in the preliminary rounds, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have secured their places in the group stages of the Champions League. Additionally, debutants Stellenbosch FC have made a notable impression by qualifying for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.
SA BROADCASTERS SUPERSPORT AND SABC LAND CAF INTERCLUB DEAL
SuperSport TV and SABC, along with Azam Media, have been awarded the rights to show live matches of CAF inter-club competitions.
“CAF reached agreements with SuperSport International for the PayTV rights (in English) and South African Broadcasting Corporation (“SABC”) and Azam Media for the Free to Air (“FTA”) rights,” reads the statement.
Meanwhile, CAF president Patrice Motsepe expressed his enthusiasm for the growing global interest in African football, citing the substantial interest from major African and international broadcasters in acquiring CAF media rights.
According to CAF, “the TV Audiences during the 2023/24 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League grew by over 25% in North Africa while East Africa and Southern Africa saw growth of over 40% in both TV Audiences and digital engagement.”
On the other hand, Motsepe stated: “The exponential growth and global competitiveness of football in Africa has resulted in substantial interest from major African and international broadcasters in African Football.
“SuperSport, SABC and Azam Media have been participating competitively in the CAF Media Rights bids. CAF welcomes them all as partners, joining a number of CAF’s Media Rights holders. We are committed to ensuring that CAF’s Competitions, including its Broadcast products, are world-class.”
RELATED STORY: Pablo Franco reacts to Sandile Zungu’s CAF competition ambitions
