Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, made the news during the General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Thursday in Abidjan. The start date of the new eight-team African Football League has been set for October 20.

The competition has been significantly reduced from the original proposal of 24 teams due to CAF's $15.7 million loss for the fiscal year 2022–2023.

"It will have eight great teams, which will be followed in the future with a bigger version," Infantino told delegates. "We have to invest in African club football as well as national team football.

"It is our responsibility, duty and task, and with the work and contribution of all of us as a team, we will succeed."

A little more than three months before it is scheduled to begin, not much more is known about the competition because CAF has not yet formally confirmed the participating teams.

According to Reuters, the eight teams include the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, who are owned by CAF President Patrice Motsepe's family, Petro Atletico of Angola, TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Al Ahly of Egypt, Horoya of Guinea, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, Tanzania's Simba, and Esperance of Tunisia.

The competition, which will feature domestic league champions from all around the continent, will operate alongside CAF's Champions League and is not a substitute.

For the time being, information on broadcasters, sponsors, and logistics is also kept under wraps.