In a surprising turn of events, SuperSport has decided to broadcast all the matches at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) happening in Côte d’Ivoire from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
Multichoice, the company that owns the SuperSport channels, had initially issued a press statement that it would not broadcast the AFCON to its over 18 million subscribers across Africa or even updates across its social media channels. The South Africa-headquartered company stated that it was unable to secure a broadcast license from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the continent’s football governing body.
While Mulitichoice could not secure the license, other broadcasters were able to get the rights from CAF. Canal+, which dominates in Francophone Africa was able to secure rights to broadcast the tournament. New World TV (NWTV), a Togo-based broadcast company, was the biggest of the broadcast rights winners after securing rights to broadcast the AFCON on both free-to-air channels and pay-TV channels. NWTV also secured rights to more than 13 tournaments.
Other foreign broadcasters such SkySports and BeIn Sports also secured rights to broadcast the AFCON.
SuperSport not broadcasting Africa’s biggest tournament expectedly caused an uproar among fans of the sport around the continent. Days later, sources told iDiski Times that an announcement would be made to the effect that the broadcaster would show the games.
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