(Photo by Ahmed Awaad/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty ImagesFIFA boss Gianni Infantino has big plans for African soccer. The NBA and basketball’s governing body are launching the Basketball Africa League featuring 12 teams from Cairo to Luanda. Algerian journalist Maher Mezahi told me some CAF Champions League preliminary rounds can cost up to $50,000 in airfare alone. This, along with the comparatively small prize pot, has made the CAF Champions League unprofitable even for the top clubs. Infantino’s African League proposal might improve the finances of African club soccer, but there are other problems that can’t be solved simply by throwing money at them.

Source: The North Africa Journal December 21, 2020 12:30 UTC