L
Latest Football News, Live Scores, Results -
Guest
In the wake of Mamelodi Sundowns' triumph in the inaugural edition of the African Football League (AFL), three-time CAF Champions League-winning coach Pitso Mosimane has candidly expressed his views on the tournament, emphasizing that, for him, the true allure lies in its financial dynamics rather than its sporting prestige.
The AFL featured a select group of powerhouse clubs, including Al Ahly, Enyimba, ES Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, Petro de Luanda, Simba, TP Mazembe, and Wydad Casablanca, all vying for the substantial $4 million winner's prize.
Despite Sundowns emerging victorious, Mosimane contends that the AFL is primarily a financial asset for the participating clubs, stopping short of considering it a competition capable of eclipsing the renowned CAF Champions League in terms of footballing prestige.
“That [the AFL] is a tournament, that’s not CAF [Champions League]. It’s a tournament where you handpick eight teams out of 54 countries. That’s a tournament,” Mosimane told local journalists in a digital press conference.
“I think the only thing I really like about this tournament is the financials behind it, empowering clubs, clubs getting more money. But that’s about it.
“How you get to be invited in there I don’t know, because I tried to check. Is it points-based or CAF? I just think there are other clubs like Raja Casablanca. I’m just making an example. There are a lot of clubs that have more points [cumulatively over the years in continental competition and in world rankings], if it’s points that allow you to be in the tournament.
“But I don’t want to talk about the tournament. I like the tournament because it’s rich, it has a lot of money. Financially, yes [it’s a success], but the other ones (factors) I don’t know.
“Raja is a big club, Zamalek is a big club. And if you put Simba above them it’s another story. It’s good for money. But it’s just a tournament,”
The AFL featured a select group of powerhouse clubs, including Al Ahly, Enyimba, ES Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, Petro de Luanda, Simba, TP Mazembe, and Wydad Casablanca, all vying for the substantial $4 million winner's prize.
Despite Sundowns emerging victorious, Mosimane contends that the AFL is primarily a financial asset for the participating clubs, stopping short of considering it a competition capable of eclipsing the renowned CAF Champions League in terms of footballing prestige.
“That [the AFL] is a tournament, that’s not CAF [Champions League]. It’s a tournament where you handpick eight teams out of 54 countries. That’s a tournament,” Mosimane told local journalists in a digital press conference.
“I think the only thing I really like about this tournament is the financials behind it, empowering clubs, clubs getting more money. But that’s about it.
“How you get to be invited in there I don’t know, because I tried to check. Is it points-based or CAF? I just think there are other clubs like Raja Casablanca. I’m just making an example. There are a lot of clubs that have more points [cumulatively over the years in continental competition and in world rankings], if it’s points that allow you to be in the tournament.
“But I don’t want to talk about the tournament. I like the tournament because it’s rich, it has a lot of money. Financially, yes [it’s a success], but the other ones (factors) I don’t know.
“Raja is a big club, Zamalek is a big club. And if you put Simba above them it’s another story. It’s good for money. But it’s just a tournament,”