FIFA president Gianni Infantino is looking to create a new super-league comprised of Africa’s top football clubs to take the sport in the continent to the “top of the world”.
Infantino believes the new competition could generate $200 million in revenue for the continent, while also expressing his desire to introduce regional competitions and youth tournaments to help develop young African talent which would "put it among the top ten in the world” according to the 49-year-old.
FIFA have a three-pillar approach, covering competitions, infrastructure and refereeing, designed to support and grow football on the continent, with the idea that a new landmark competition will generate more revenues which would enable African clubs to retain top players.
The news arrives just after African champions TP Mazembe announced plans to construct a 50,000-seater stadium next year. Infantino wants every country in Africa to have a stadium that reaches Fifa’s standards, with an aim of raising $1 billion to help make the dream a reality.
Speaking about the eventual goals of the project, Infantino said: “What I want, what Fifa wants, and what football needs is to see African football shine. We want to bring it to the highest of heights. In close cooperation with CAF, the 54 member associations across Africa and other stakeholders, I am positive that we will make African football reach the top level where it should be because the quality and potential are definitely here… I want to take African football to the top of the world.”
In other African football news, Nike and Nigeria are reportedly dropping another wavey collection next year.