Cape Town City Chairman John Comitis Advocates for a Stronger African Club Association

In a significant development for African football, John Comitis, the chairman of Cape Town City FC, has expressed strong support for the recently inaugurated African Club Association (ACA), an initiative by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This new body aims to elevate African clubs to a level of commercial competitiveness that can contend with global standards.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) in South Africa serves as a benchmark for professionalism within the continent's football landscape, often likened to European leagues. Nevertheless, the PSL is not without its struggles. A key issue that Comitis believes the ACA could address is the frequent fixture congestions faced by local leagues.

In an interview with Marawa Sports Worldwide, Comitis highlighted the attributes that set the PSL apart: an established structure, financial strength, broad broadcast reach, and robust sponsorship at multiple levels. These are the very qualities he believes need to be preserved and advocated for, making the ACA an essential platform for voicing concerns and driving progress.

The inconsistency in scheduling games has become a particularly pronounced issue, as seen with the African Football League (AFL), where even a team as prominent as Sundowns found itself playing catch-up, lagging multiple games behind the rest of the league. Through the ACA, Comitis expects these operational challenges to be addressed systematically, reinforcing the core strength of African football by rooting it in the stability of each country's domestic leagues.

“It's important to note that no club in Africa achieved their status on the continent before they established themselves in their own country," emphasized Comitis. This approach places considerable importance on the local development of clubs as a precursor to success at the continental level.

The ACA's mission aligns with Comitis' vision for African football — to ensure that the collective interests of clubs at national and continental levels are front and center. The common goal is to ensure that the operational and financial aspects of football management are optimized for the benefit of all stakeholders: from the clubs and players to the fans who passionately follow their teams.

Comitis, along with other club presidents and managers from across the continent, attended the official launch of the ACA in Cairo earlier this week. This assembly of decision-makers signifies a collaborative effort to guide African football into a lucrative and sustainable future.

The establishment of the ACA is a promising step towards resolving longstanding issues afflicting African football, especially in terms of scheduling and competitiveness. With the active participation of influential football leaders like Comitis, the ACA is poised to enact substantial changes that could reshape the continental footballing landscape, bringing about an era where African clubs can fully harness their potential, both on and off the pitch.