African Football League inaugurated in Tanzania with Simba-Al Ahly thriller

Posted : 23 October 2023

In a vibrant display of passion and pride, fervent supporters of Simba Sports Club adorned their team's iconic red and white colors as they queued for tickets to witness the inaugural match of the highly anticipated African Football League (AFL) in Tanzania. This historic event brought together eight of Africa's elite clubs and commenced in Dar es Salaam, with Simba Sports Club squaring off against Egypt's powerhouse, Al Ahly.

The opening leg of this two-part encounter ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, a testament to the intense competition, and it unfolded before a packed Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, graced by the presence of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The creation of the AFL, orchestrated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was envisioned as a means to elevate the quality of football in Africa and foster financial growth for the participating clubs.

The Benjamin Mkapa stadium was bursting at the seams for this momentous tournament, with fans from across Tanzania proudly flaunting the colors of red and white, converging at the 60,000-capacity arena a full ten hours before kick-off.

The maiden edition of the AFL commenced with a riveting 2-2 first-leg draw between Simba of Tanzania and Al Ahly of Egypt in Dar es Salaam. The match saw Moroccan Reda Slim giving the visitors the lead just before half-time. However, Simba made a remarkable comeback in the second half, netting two goals within seven minutes, courtesy of Tanzanian Denis Kibu and Malian Sadio Kanoute. The Simba goalkeeper's error on 63 minutes allowed Mahmoud Kahraba to equalize for Al Ahly.

The clubs are set to face each other again in Cairo, with Al Ahly, an eleven-time African champion, considered the favorites. The winner of this clash will proceed to meet either Petro Luanda of Angola or Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the semifinals. The AFL underwent a name change from the CAF Africa Super League, primarily to avoid any association with the ill-fated 2021 European Super League initiative.

Initially intended as a 24-club, 197-match competition with a single-match final, the tournament was scaled down to eight teams due to limited sponsorship, resulting in a significant reduction in prize money. The event has also faced criticism for its choice of participating clubs, with notable teams like Chabab Belouizdad of Algeria absent from the roster. Nonetheless, the AFL promises to offer thrilling football action, with upcoming matches and a grand finale scheduled for November 11.

African Football League inaugurated in Tanzania with Simba-Al Ahly thriller

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics