Prominent sports channel airing on DStv and owned by Multichoice, SuperSport has announced that it would not be broadcasting the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament set to commence on January 13, 2023. The satellite services’ inability to secure the broadcasting rights for the AFCON 2023 has prevented its airing on the SuperSport channels.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, Multichoice Africa expressed its commitment to ensuring football enthusiasts across the continent continue to have unparalleled access to entertainment and football games on DStv and GOtv platforms. While acknowledging the absence of AFCON 2023 on the SuperSport channels, Multichoice reassured fans that the tournament’s games would still be accessible through partner broadcast stations on Free-to-Air (FTA) channels.
CAF, the Confederation of African Football, awarded the broadcasting rights to Togo’s New World TV, a decision applauded by CAF president Patrice Motsepe. Describing the agreement as a mega deal unmatched by any other broadcaster, Motsepe highlighted the historic nature of the Media Rights Agreement with New World TV, marking it as the most significant investment by a Pan-African broadcaster in CAF’s history.
Motsepe expressed pride in partnering with New World TV, lauding the company as a globally competitive and innovative broadcasting entity that has competently adapted to the evolving demands and viewing patterns of the modern football audience. Additionally, he commended New World TV for introducing novel ways of consuming video content through robust partnerships with various mobile operators and television networks.
For football enthusiasts eager to catch the AFCON action, StarTimes subscribers in Nigeria are in for a treat with access to all 52 matches of AFCON 2024, providing comprehensive coverage for subscribers of this service. Additionally, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and other free-to-air channels will broadcast the games, ensuring a more inclusive viewing experience for those without access to satellite TV services. Free-to-air channels emerge as a reliable source for live coverage of the tournament.
Thanks to a broadcasting rights deal with New World TV, the Togolese satellite TV group now holds the rights for CAF competitions from 2023 to 2025, potentially offering an alternative viewing option for Nigerian audiences.
Furthermore, some online betting platforms will have the games shown. Several Nigerian betting sites, including Bet9ja, 1xBet, BetWinner, and others, provide live streaming services for sports events, including AFCON matches. Registered users on these platforms may enjoy live game streams, typically requiring an active account with a minimum balance for access. This presents yet another avenue for football enthusiasts to engage with the AFCON.