Soccer Laduma had the opportunity to catch up with esteemed African journalist Mamadou Gaye and asked the analyst to discuss all things CAF inter-club competition!
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The Ivorian has been in the media space for many decades, and along the way has carved out a highly respectable career, having covered his first Africa Cup of Nations in 1984, when it was held in his native country.
With African football having evolved tremendously since then, Soccer Laduma sought the esteemed Mr Gaye to discuss the landscape of African football's premier club competitions.
What are your thoughts on the CAF Super League reportedly starting with just eight teams after plans for a grandiose inaugural tournament were touted?
Look, I think that people are quick to judge. This idea obviously arose from Europe, rejected by Europe and accepted by Africa. Supported also in Africa by FIFA, let's say it. It's a brilliant idea, it's to try and get money to inject into African football so that the clubs can be stronger. Maybe Africa doesn't have that type of money, but the CAF leadership, President Patrice Motsepe, as he said when he came in, would like to see all the prize money in all of CAF's competitions double and triple.
Slowly we can see that it's happening and that the Champions League is becoming more attractive because all the clubs in it are getting better money. When a baby is born, the baby is very small. It's not born and starts running the same day. If you can remember, even when the Africa Cup of Nations was born, it started with three or four countries. I remember when I attended my first AFCON in 1984 in Cote Ivoire, we hosted, it was only eight countries.
I think it's a brilliant idea, I would just like for CAF to come out and explain to everybody the little details. Anything that boosts our clubs financially with a lot of TV revenue is good. You see, in Africa, we like to fall into pessimism and doubt ourselves, but if you have a man of action in front, like president Motsepe? Believe in his action, because he is a man of action.
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Who do you think are the favourites to win the CAF Champions League this season?
It has to [Mamelodi] Sundowns. Do you remember, Pitso [Mosimane] was the first to give five to Al Ahly? Who is the African club of the century? The most decorated when it comes African champions leagues. If you can give them five, you can pretend to be the champion. If you can beat them, you're hyper-confident, you know you can beat anybody. You just have to be humble, to discipline yourself, discipline the players, because discipline is what will win you matches. They [Sundowns] can beat anybody and lift the trophy for the second time.
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