Could next season’s CAF Champions League final be held in South Africa?

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the dates for bids to host the finals of next season’s CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

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Following the Confederations’ Executive Committee (Exco) meeting held in Morocco last week, it was announced that the hosting bids will open in November.

Considering the quality of infrastructure as the only Africa country to ever host a Soccer World Cup, South Africa will certainly be among the favourites – should SAFA bid.

The two finals will be played between May 22-29, 2022.

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CAF has arranged the last two finals of both competitions as single leg ties played at a pre-determined venue.

Prior to that – and since 1966 – every final had been a two-legged affair.

This year’s CAF Champions League final saw Al Ahly beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, Morocco, while last year’s final, also won by Al Ahly (against Zamalek), was played at the Cairo International Stadium. 

The 2020/21 CAF Confederation Cup final was played at the Stade de I’Amitie in Cotonou, Benin where Raja Casablanca beat JS Kabyile 2-1 while last year’s final was at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.

The 2021/22 continental club competitions will get underway on September 10 with the draw for the preliminary rounds currently set for August 15.

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As one of the top 12 countries on the continent allowed to enter two clubs in each of the tournaments, South Africa will be represented as follows:

CAF Champions League: Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu FC

CAF Confederation Cup: Orlando Pirates and Marumo Gallants FC

Registration of players for the pre-group stages round will close on August 15 leaving the four SA clubs just under a month to make new signings that they wish want to register for the upcoming CAF competitions.

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Key CAF club dates for 2021/22:

First preliminary round – (First/Second leg) September 10-12/September 17-19, 2021

Second preliminary round – (First/Second leg) October 15-17/October 22-24, 2021

CC additional round: (First/Second leg) November 26-28/December 3-5, 2021

Group stages match day 1 – February 11-13, 2022

Group stages match day 2 – February 18-20, 2022

Group stages match day 3 – February 25-27, 2022

Group stages match day 4 – March 11-13, 2022

Group stages match day 5 – March 18-20, 2022

Group stages match day 6 – April 1-3, 2022

Quarter-finals – (First/Second leg) – April 15-17, 2022

Semi-finals – (First/Second leg) – May 6-8, 2022

Finals – from May 22-29 (TBC) 

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