The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has agreed to a proposed Africa Women’s Champions League.
The decision was taken at an Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday
The maiden edition will take place in 2021. CAF says the introduction is a confirmation of its development agenda for the women’s game in Africa.
The governing football says the decision is as a result of wide stakeholder engagement, and that the endorsement paves the way for sponsorship, formats, and modalities for the competition to be discussed.
Before the meeting, women’s football stakeholders during a recent virtual summit had thrown their weight behind the new competition.
South Africa women’s national team coach, Desiree Ellis; Deputy Chairperson, Ghana Women’s Premier League, Rosaline Amoh; Head of Sports, Cameroon Radio/Television, Nje Enow; FIBA/Supersport Uganda’s Usher Komugisha among others supported the idea during a video conference summit.
In an exclusive interview with TV3Sports, the Chairperson of Ghana Women’s Premier League, GWPL, Hilary Boaten and her committee members applauded CAF for their proposed Women’s Champions League.
“This is a very good move and initiative from CAF. It’s long been expected. People have advocated for it and desired it on the continent for the young women who continue to play good football all around Africa,” she said.
“When people say that we do not have the required number of teams to play the Women’s CAF Champions League, I wonder where they would get that notion from. As we speak, we have over 33 countries scattered across the continent where organised women’s football league is played. Even if we don’t have that required number, considering 33 out of about 55 countries, is way above average for a good number to start the CAF Women’s Champions League.”
Goalkeeper Patricia Mantey of Black Queens and Immigration Ladies also expressed joy over CAF’s decision.
“Africa needs to have club competitions just like the UEFA Women’s Champions League in order to give players in our leagues more international exposure. This will improve the quality of women’s football in Africa.”
Africa joins Europe and Asia as continents with cross broader inter-club competitions.
By Nana Akua Amankwaa Quaye|3news.com|Ghana