ZIMBABWEAN giants Dynamos have confirmed they are on this year’s CAF African Football League (AFL) shortlist, a first step into the cash-rich tournament made up of Africa’s top 24 clubs.
By Bhora Afrika
It could turn out to be a good year for the Glamour Boys who will also be competing in the continent’s second tier competition, the Confederation Cup.
Their sojourn in the African Safari, which begins around September, will be a first in 10 years.
Speaking to The Herald this week, club Chairperson Moses Maunganidze confirmed that Dynamos stood a chance to be put toe to toe with South African heavyweights and AFL defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns if all goes well.
βThe club qualified for CAF Inter-club competitions for the first time since 2014 and it will be participating in the 2024/2025 CAF Confederation Cup.
“We have also been shortlisted for the elite Inaugural 2024/2025 CAF African League competition,” said Maunganidze.
Dynamos was once on CAF’s Top 10 African clubs due to impressive outings in the Champions League before a tumultuous period that saw them struggle against continental minnows and then a 10 year failure to qualify for either the latter or Confederation Cup.
The AFL, a multimillion dollar competition which Dynamos might be in this year, is FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s brain child.
It is meant to improve financial sustainability of African clubs while developing the game on the continent.
Last season each participant was given US$1 million, a figure which reports indicate could be disbursed for this year’s participants.
Such a cash injection night go a long way in stabilising Dynamos’ usually financially crippled ship.
Mamelodi Sundowns pocketed US$4 million for winning the inaugural competition that featured eight teams.