Dylan Bettencourt
The South African Football Association (Safa) intends to throw SA’s hat in the ring to host both the men’s and the women’s Confederation of African Football (Caf) Champions League finals, as well as the 2024 Women’s Afcon.
Safa President Danny Jordaan announced that plans are underway for South Africa to host the three prestigious Caf events.
“We have indicated to Caf that we are quite keen to host the second edition of the Caf Women’s Champions League on the basis that it would be wonderful for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, the champions, to defend their crown on home soil in South Africa,” Jordaan said on the Safa website.
South Africa will be hoping that their own teams will represent them in the finals.
Last season saw Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs reach the final of the Champions League, but narrowly missed out against Al Ahly.
The Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies team emerged as the first-ever winners of the Women’s Champions League last season.
This year, although in its early stages, the men’s Sundowns team are proving they have what it takes to go the distance, defeating Al Ahly twice during the group stages to all but book a spot in the knockout stages.
The men’s final will be staged in May, while the women’s final will only take place in November.
Jordaan added that the governing body is bidding to host the 2024 Women’s Afcon event.
“As far as the Africa Women Cup of Nations is concerned, Banyana Banyana have qualified for the 2022 tournament in Morocco,” he said.
“They are going to Morocco, and we are hoping they will be in the final of this competition. Certainly, they must qualify for the World Cup. We have indicated to Caf we are keen on hosting the 2024 Women’s Cup of Nations,” he said.
With South Africa aiming to host these major events, an important question hangs over whether fans would be allowed back into the stadiums for the games.
Image source: @Sportskeeda
