THE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has claimed that hundreds of millions of football fans from at least 180 countries across the world will watch the matches of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023).
The tournament will begin on Saturday and end on February 11, with 24 national teams, including the Super Eagles of Nigeria, competing across five cities in Cote d’Ivoire.
“The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) today announced the conclusion of extensive global broadcast agreements with TV-Broadcasting Rights Holders from Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, North America and the Caribbean ahead of the kick-off of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (“AFCON”) Côte d’Ivoire 2023,” CAF stated today.
“The global TV-Broadcast partners include Sky (United Kingdom), BBC (United Kingdom), LaLiga+ (Spain), SportItalia (Italy), Sport Digital (Germany & Switzerland), SportTV (Portugal), Viaplay (Nordics) and Band TV (Brazil).
“BeIN Sport, CANAL+, New World TV and approximately 45 Free To Air broadcasters have also concluded partnership agreements with CAF and this will result in the TotalEnergies AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 being broadcast in approximately 180 countries.
“The significant increase in financial investment by TV-Broadcasting Rights Holders from Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, North America and the Caribbean will result in a substantial global increase in viewership of the TotalEnergies AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023.”
CAF is projecting a big raise in its revenue due to the unprecedented interest in the continental showpiece, in which African players from across the world’s top leagues will feature.
“CAF’s Broadcasting revenues will also increase significantly and this will assist with the development and growth of football in Africa,” the continental ruling body added.
“The TotalEnergies AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 is expected to be the most competitive as all the prominent and successful African Football Nations will be competing in Côte d’Ivoire for the prestigious AFCON Cup.”
CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe said: “African football and the TotalEnergies AFCON competition is recognised as being amongst the most competitive and exciting in world football.
“We are delighted by the extensive global broadcast agreements concluded by CAF with the TV-Broadcasting Rights Holders. Huge investments are being made in youth football, including schools football, professional leagues, training of coaches and referees, as well as the building and upgrading of football infrastructure in Africa. This is contributing enormously to the quality of African football being globally competitive and as good as the best in the world.
“CAF is committed to working together and assisting the Media during the TotalEnergies AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 and at all future CAF competitions and events.”
[NaijaTimes]