Pay Television Company StarTimes Media has acquired broadcasting rights for the CAF Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 qualifiers and the women AFCON finals 2022.
StarTimes has been awarded media rights for the terrestrial, satellite pay-television as well as over the top (OTT) platform for its StarTimes ON online application with the two tournaments airing across all sub-Saharan Africa territories in English.
The TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2022 is set to kick off from 2nd to 23rd July as the CAF TotalEnergies AFCON 2023 qualifiers enter the second round in September. StarTimes will broadcast all the matches live and in full high-definition through five sports channels as well as the platform’s online streaming service StarTimes ON.
Speaking when he made the announcement, StarTimes Regional Marketing Director Mr. Aldrine Nsubuga noted that the broadcaster is keen to progressively ensure non-stop sports content available to its subscribers especially during this period when major soccer leagues have taken a break thereby ensuring the tournament will be a key focus for soccer lovers who will now enjoy the showpiece at the comfort of their homes.
“These continental tournaments remain a major attraction as through them, major outstanding African talent has traditionally been spotted while they have equally showcased increased competitiveness and growth in Africa’s women and men’s football. StarTimes is therefore proud to be the one stop shop where subscribers will continue to enjoy these prestigious competitions,” noted Mr. Nsubuga.
Kenya’s Harambee Starlets were withdrawn from the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, a decision that gave the Crested Cranes of Uganda a walk-over into the upcoming 2022 finals. This is the second time that Uganda is featuring at the finals of the coveted continental showpiece having made their maiden appearance in 2000.
Following the successful AFCON men’s tournament earlier this year in Cameroon, Morocco 2022 will be the biggest tournament with the expansion to 12 participating teams. As hosts, the Atlas Lionesses received an automatic berth and will take on debutants Burkina Faso, Senegal and Uganda in Group A, while Group B will be comprised of Cameroon, Zambia, Tunisia and Togo.
The pre-tournament favourites Nigeria are grouped with South Africa, who the Super Falcons beat 4-3 on penalties to lift the trophy four years ago following a 0-0 draw in Accra, Ghana. First-time qualifiers Burundi and Botswana complete the line-up in Group C.
