CAF Competitions Officer, Samson Adamu has confirmed that the African Football League, will not take place in 2024, meaning clubs like Enyimba and other top Nigeria Premier Football League teams will miss out on the competition’s $1 million prize.

According to Adamu, the AFL will return in 2025 with an expanded format featuring 24 teams, a significant increase from the eight teams that competed in the inaugural 2023 edition.

“I think the plans fully for the AFL, it is highly unlikely this year because we only have a few months until the end of the year but the plans will be revealed for next year, as to when it is going to happen and what are the plans for it,” Adamu told SABC.

He further mentioned that the preparations are aimed at making the next edition of the AFL even bigger.

“But there is advanced talk in terms of the preparation for the AFL to make it bigger than before.

“And for the Club World Cup, AFL is going to have men’s club football as you saw the last edition was extremely good, even bigger and better.”

In the 2023 edition, Enyimba was knocked out in the quarterfinals after a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Wydad AC.

Mamelodi Sundowns, who won the first-ever AFL competition, are the current holders of the title.

What’s Changed?

The competition, initially announced in 2022 as the Africa Super League, was designed to feature 24 teams divided into three regional groups with a promotion and relegation system.

Wydad Casablanca players celebrate after they scored against Enyimba in their African Football League match. Photo | Facebook (Wydad Athletic Club – WAC )

However, the inaugural season, renamed the African Football League, was delayed to October 2023 and reduced to an eight-team knockout format.

The full version of the tournament is now expected to launch in the 2024–25 season.