IFFHS NEWS AND STATISTICS OF THE WEEK 38
Picture : Nigeria's Champion River Angels, one of the favorites for the first CAF Women's Champion League
CAF WOMEN’S CHAMPION LEAGUE
The decision was made public during the CAF Executive Committee that took place last Thursday.
It has been decided that the first edition of the African Women's Champions League will take place in 2021. The decision was made public during the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that took place on Thursday September 10, 2020 amongst a host of items including the body's next Presidential election.
According to the conclusions there will be eight finalists for the inaugural edition. Six CAF zones across the continent will organise qualifications to determine the eight finalists for the inaugural CAF Women's Champions League. The first edition of the CAF Women's Champions League will see the zonal union of the host country have two representatives, but the following editions will see host countries with one representative while the reigning Champion's Zone Union will have two representatives.
The eight qualified Clubs will be drawn into two groups of four teams each in accordance with the regulations. Each domestic association will determine the process of qualification for the zonal qualifiers although it is likely that the spot will be reserved for league champions. The competition will be annual and take place during the second quarter.
In July this year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) made a bold step to introduce the Women's Champions League as a way of improving club football for the women. The championship would feature the best clubs from across the continent to determine the winner like it is done with the men's competition. In addition, the next Women's African Cup of Nations will take place in July 2022. This year's edition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
THE COUNTRIES
Union of North African Football Federations (UNAF) (5)
Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia
West African Football Union (WAFU) (16)
Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.
Central African Football Federations' Union (UNIFFAC) (8)
Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Chad.
Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) (12)
Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Zanzibar.
Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) (14)
South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius Island, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Eswatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Indian Ocean Football Federation (UFFOI) (6)
Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion Islands, Seychelles
TRANSFERS
Thiago Alcantara (Spain) joins Liverpool FC (England) after seven years at FC Bayern München (Germany). He wrote a letter to his fans. A great personnality !
Sergio Reguillon (Spain) and Gareth Bale (Wales) from Real Madrid CF (Spain) to Tottenham Hotspurs (England).
Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina) from Juve (Italy) to Inter Miami FC (USA)
Joelle Smits (Netherlands) from PSV Eindhoven to VFL Wolfsburg (Germany)
Diego Jota (Portugal) from Wolverhampton (England) to Liverpool FC (England)
Alex Morgan with the shirt of Tottenham Hotspurs – it is true
Jacynta Galabadaarachchi was the first women player of Sri Lanka to sign in England at West Ham United last year at 19. She has joined Italy and SSC Napoli for this season, having also her first cap with Australia’s U20 National team !
CURIOSITIES
Jamal Musiala became last week the youngest ever Bayern München Goal Scorer in the German Bundesliga at 17 years and 204 days. Born in Stuttgart (Germany) in 2003, he lived in England since 2010, playing for Southampton and Chelsea before coming to FC Bayern last year. He is capped with the English U15, U16 and U17, but also with the German U17. His double nationality let him the choice for the future !
FC Bayern had his fantastic duo Arjen Robben – Franck Ribery numbers 10 and 7, during long 11 years. After their living, the new duo 10 – 7 is composed by Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry. The first match of the two strikers in the Bundesliga showed great : 3 goals for Gnabry, 1 goal and 2 assists for Sane ! With Robert Lewandowski at the head, the offensive line of the UEFA Champions League winner is World Class.