The Afro-Asian Football Championship, a once-popular intercontinental club competition, is poised for a comeback after a quarter-century hiatus, according to sources close to the matter.
The tournament, which pits the champions of Africa against their Asian counterparts, is slated to return in January 2025, a report in the Qatari news outlet Al Raya claims.
Egypt’s Al-Ahly, representing Africa, will face the United Arab Emirates’ Al-Ain, the Asian champions, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Qatar’s Lusail Stadium, a venue that captured global attention during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has been chosen to host this prestigious event.
The winning team is set to receive a substantial prize of $3 million, adding a significant financial incentive to the glory of intercontinental supremacy.
The Afro-Asian Cup, as it was previously known, enjoyed a run of 11 editions from 1986 to 1998.
It was discontinued following FIFA’s decision to launch the Club World Cup, which incorporated champions from all confederations.
During its original run, the competition was dominated by North African clubs. Egypt’s Zamalek holds the record for most titles, having clinched the trophy twice in three appearances.
Other past winners include Al-Ahly of Egypt, Tunisia’s Africain and Esperance, Algeria’s ES Setif, and Morocco’s Wydad and Raja.
The revival of this tournament marks a significant moment in intercontinental club football, potentially rekindling the intense rivalry between African and Asian clubs.
It also represents an opportunity for Qatar to continue its involvement in high-profile football events post-World Cup.
Football fans across both continents will be eager to see how their champions fare in this resurrected competition as competitions on both continents are seeing a major rise in interest.
Saudi Arabia has seen a major boost in its domestic league following the government’s decision to inject world class players in their league which has seen a massive rise in global interest.
This has made the Asian football attractive to both domestic and foreign football fans while the introduction of the African Football League has also showed CAF’s desire to put some professionalism in the game.
