The Siya crew's resident secret agent has pointed out the pros and cons of CAF's recent directive, which will affect the two Soweto giants as well as some of their Premier Soccer League rivals next season.
SAFA is forging ahead with plans to accelerate a club licensing requirement that will be enforced by Africa's football governing body to clubs intending to take part in its competitions, so a meeting with PSL teams to get an update on progress made regarding the establishment of a women's outfit is expected.
Currently, only Mamelodi Sundowns and TS Galaxy have female teams, while the rest of the professional ranks, among them Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, are still playing catch-up.
"This is good, as like globally, CAF needs to enhance the women's game. However, the issue in Africa is the finances, a lot of clubs on the continent are having financial woes, post Covid, as it is," the secret agent explained.
"So where is the financial assistance from CAF, at least to assist clubs in being able to financially format a woman's team? Is this another CAF initiative, but without the necessary thought process, in depth dialogue with clubs and ultimately a strategy of assistance to clubs?
Africa is not Europe when it comes to finances and revenues in football clubs, so for this to work in the correct way, it needs to be thought through."
Murmurs at CAF indicate that the governing body may put a hold on these requirements given that it has not yet been formalised with SA clubs yet to receive a clear mandate.
But they wouldn't want to be caught sleeping should having a women's team and a development structure be required for participation in the Champions League or Confederation Cup.
"Ultimately, we will see clubs basically pulling out of CAF competitions in some parts, simply because they do not have the resource to find a women's team in this way. We have already seen some clubs, especially in the early rounds of the Confederation Cup, simply not trying or putting out their best team to compete, as the costs attributed to participate in the competition is simply not viable for many African clubs," said the secret agent.
"We all want the women's game to be enjoyable and competitive, but on this one, CAF needs to think it through."
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