The changes were made to allow football clubs to register a player for the CAF Champions League or the CAF Confederation Cup who participated in either of these competitions, for another football club, within the same football season, reports Inas Mazhar.
According to CAF, by changing the regulations, the rules of the two tournaments are now similar to that of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
“The amendments will contribute to the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup becoming attractive and appealing to football fans, TV spectators and to sponsors and partners in Africa and worldwide,” CAF said.
The CAF also decided to extend the deadline for registering players in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup to 28 February 2025.
“These changes may also improve the quality of the African football clubs that are participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup” that will be held in the United States from June to July, CAF wrote on its official website.
However, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) had announced that its deadline for local player registration is 8 February. The EFA justified its decision by pointing out that local player registration started on 1 January and is scheduled to end on 8 February.
As such, the EFA has sent letters to the four Egyptian clubs who are participating in the Champions League and Confederation Cup informing them that their registration deadline is now 28 February instead of Friday 31 January according to CAF’s new decision.
On another note, with the eight clubs to play in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals decided, CAF will soon communicate details of the official draw that will map out the exciting knockout stages of the tournament which is set to kick off in March.
Match Day 6, the last day of the group stages, completed another dramatic pool phase, with 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa and MC Alger from Algeria completing the knockout stage line-up.
Reigning champions Ahly SC (Egypt), Al Hilal (Sudan), AS FAR (Morocco), Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), Orlando Pirates (South Africa) and Pyramids (Egypt) make up the remainder of the eight confirmed sides set to compete in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Six of the clubs have lifted the coveted title before, with reigning champions Ahly chasing a record-extending 13th trophy win. Esperance have four previous victories, while AS FAR, Mamelodi Sundowns, MC Alger and Orlando Pirates each have a single title to their name.
Al Hilal have been the surprise package of the competition alongside Pyramids FC, who will look to emulate their Egyptian counterparts success on the continent. The latter will be making their debut in the knockout stages with the hope of continuing their impressive runs in the tournament.
The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League remains Africa’s most sought-after club title, with the competition enjoying exponential growth over the last few seasons.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 6 February, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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