The Botswana Football Association (BFA) has confirmed changes to the CAF Champions league calendar which shows that this year’s Champions League and African Confederation Cup are the last to be staged within a calendar year. The change was made at the CAF symposium which was held in Rabat this May.
It is said that due to changes of the league format, the first edition of the schedule will witness winners of this year’s competitions given direct entry into the group phase to alleviate fixture congestion. However, the predicament is said to be that the winners can’t make it in the second round of the competitions which are scheduled for December while they will be away to represent Africa at the Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates from December 12-22.
“Clubs are aware that there has been changes made with regards to the CAF calendar this season. Champions of the domestic league have been advised on the change of dates of the competitions if they are interested in competing in the upcoming season. The decision to change the dates was approved by the CAF Emergency Committee during the CAF emergency meeting held in Rabat this May,” BFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) told The Telegraph.
It has since been agreed that the changes will affect play days with the CAF champions’ league games expected to be played on Friday and Saturday while CAF confederations cup matches will be played on Sunday unlike the previous weekend and mid-week matches.
The switch is said to take effect from this year with the 2018/19 edition of both competitions commencing in November, just after the final of the 2018 edition. While this season’s competitions kick start in November, future competitions are schedules to be staged from August through to May to fit schedules of most African leagues and also that of the European club competitions.
