A section of Kenyans have praised Tanzania after unveiling the African Football League, a new continental super league competition involving eight teams.
Kenyans who watched the unveiling event noted that Tanzania had surprised the region following the success of the launch which saw thousands of football fans throng the stadium.
Big names in the football arena also graced the launch led by former Arsenal Head Coach Arsene Wenger, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and CAF President Patrice Motsepe.
Following the success, some Kenyans opined that Tanzania should be allowed to host the opening ceremony of the 2027 AFCON games set to be hosted in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
“Tanzania loves football more than Kenya, they deserve the 2027 AFCON Opening Ceremony,” Businessman Rodgers Kipembe wrote.
“Tanzania will be a good host for the opening ceremony of AFCON 2027 then Nairobi can host the final,” Sports Journalist Eric Njiru added.
Tanzania 🇹🇿 will be a good host for the opening ceremony of AFCON 2027 then Nairobi 🇰🇪 can host the final pic.twitter.com/2YdRsgox4I
— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) October 20, 2023
ODM Communications Director Philip Etale praised the workmanship on Benjamin Mkapa Stadium noting that Kenya would reach that level by eliminating corruption from its ranks.
Story About the Launch
CAF president Patrice Motsepe met with Tanzania President Suluhu Hassan before unveiling the trophy which is made of gold and silver to reflect the rich African culture and heritage.
The African Football League kicked off to a capacity 60,000-strong crowd in Dar-es-Salaam with home side Simba drawing 2-2 with Africa’s most successful team Al Ahly of Egypt.
The two teams were playing a quarter-final first leg and will meet again in Cairo on Tuesday in the return fixture.
The eight-team competition bears little resemblance to the initial concept that FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggested to the Confederation of African Football’s member countries at their 2020 congress.
Only a single sponsor has been signed for the African Football League, with a deal with Visit Saudi, the tourism authority of Saudi Arabia, announced last week.
When asked where the money for the new competition came from, CAF president Patrice Motsepe told reporters at a press conference ahead of the match: “We pray very hard. It comes from heaven.”
