The AFCON 2021 qualifiers were marked by controversy on Sunday when the match between Rwanda and Cameroon could not be broadcast on public television, leaving fans frustrated and sparking questions over the reasons behind the blackout. The incident quickly drew attention, with Cameroon’s public broadcaster, CRTV, providing an explanation the following day. According to CRTV, the failure to air the match was due to “a refusal by officials of the Union of African Radio and Television Organizations (UAR) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to provide the satellite parameters necessary for this broadcast.”
CRTV emphasized that this “unilateral” decision was particularly frustrating given that Cameroon had allegedly paid a substantial sum for broadcasting rights. The broadcaster stated that the country had paid 1,960,000 CFA francs for the rights to CAF competitions, framing the non-broadcast as an unjust and arbitrary action. From CRTV’s perspective, this situation deprived Cameroonian fans of the opportunity to follow their national team, raising concerns about transparency and coordination between CAF, UAR, and local broadcasters.
However, the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) quickly responded to CRTV’s allegations, categorically rejecting the claims made by the Cameroonian broadcaster. In an official statement, the AUB clarified that CRTV had never acquired the broadcasting rights for the 2021 qualifiers, including the Rwanda-Cameroon match. The organization noted that it had sent an offer to CRTV on October 10, 2019, but had not received any response from the broadcaster, leaving the rights unconfirmed. This directly contradicted CRTV’s assertion that the blackout occurred despite payment for broadcasting rights.
In addition to challenging the claims about the qualifiers, the AUB also refuted CRTV’s statements regarding financial payments. The organization highlighted that Cameroon did not pay the 1,960,000 CFA francs mentioned by the broadcaster. Instead, the country had previously paid 1,500,000 euros for the rights to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and other CAF competitions, specifically excluding the qualifying rounds. This clarification further undermined CRTV’s justification for the failed broadcast and raised questions about the management of media rights and communication between stakeholders.
The AUB also pointed to longstanding issues with CRTV’s compliance, noting that the broadcaster had repeatedly failed to honor prior commitments. Over a period of four years, CRTV allegedly refused to pay $160,000 for FIFA Other events and €186,026 for the 2019 AFCON qualifiers and additional services. These unresolved financial obligations, according to the AUB, reflect a pattern of noncompliance that complicates agreements and access to broadcasting rights.
Overall, the Rwanda-Cameroon blackout underscores ongoing tensions between African broadcasters, continental governing bodies, and media rights organizations. While CRTV framed the issue as an obstruction by CAF and UAR, the AUB’s response painted a different picture, highlighting miscommunication, unpaid obligations, and procedural oversights. For fans, the dispute resulted in missed coverage of an important qualifier, but it also sheds light on the complex landscape of African football broadcasting, where legal, financial, and organizational factors intersect.
As the qualifying campaign continues, the incident serves as a reminder of the need for clearer communication, transparency, and timely fulfillment of contractual commitments between broadcasters and football authorities. Resolving these disputes will be crucial to ensuring that future matches are accessible to fans across the continent and that such interruptions do not overshadow the sporting achievements on the pitch.
