The much-awaited inaugural African Football League is finally expected to serve off on October 20, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The eight-team competition consists of Africa's elite clubs including the reigning African champions and football royalty, Al Ahly SC (Egypt) who will play against the host Simba SC at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium before the return leg in Egypt.
Simba captain John Rapheo relishes the challenge, urging the team to leave their hearts on the field.
He said: "The AFL is a big tournament for Africa compared to the other competitions. Historically, Simba has been around in Tanzania for more than 40 years so we will put our best foot forward.
16-time Angolan champions Atlético Petróleos de Luanda host South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, October 21 at Luanda’s Estadio 11 de Novembro.
Sundowns has won the last six domestic league titles in a row and the match will be a litmus test for the South African giants.
Democratic Republic of Congo champions TP Mazembe will host Tunisian giants Esperance Tunisienne, also at Dar es Salaam’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.
Esperance captain and goalkeeper Moez Ben Charifa said: "We have one thing the rest of the teams don't have, the winning culture."
Esperance is known for their offensive play.
Nigerian powerhouse Enyimba FC host legendary Moroccan champions Wydad Athletic Club at Uyo’s Goodwill Akpabo Stadium on October 22.
The winner of the competition will pocket Sh 600,000,000 ($4m), and the runners-up will bag 450,000,000 ($3m). Third-place finishers will earn 255,000,000 $1.9m)
The AFL will be an annual continental club football competition run by the Confederation of African Football Caf.
It was announced on November 28, 2019, by Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa.
Initially, the tournament was launched as the African Super League on August 10, 2022, to include 24 elite teams with a promotion and relegation system.
The initial 24-team competition will return in the 2024-25 season and will run alongside Caf's other main club competition, the Caf Champions League.
