Football fans in Nigeria and across Africa won’t be able to catch the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 matches on SuperSport.
MultiChoice, the parent company of SuperSport, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, blaming the situation on its inability to secure the broadcasting rights for the tournament.
“SuperSport Channel will not broadcast the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 scheduled for January 13th – February 11th, 2-24, because the channel has not secured the rights to broadcast the tournament.
“However, AFCON 2023 games will be available through our partner broadcast stations on Free to Air (FTA) channels.
“Multichoice Africa remains committed to ensuring football fans across Africa continue to enjoy unrivaled access to entertainment and football games available on DStv and GOtv platforms including, the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Zambian Super League, and many more of football’s most prestigious competitions,” the company said.
Here’s a summary of the situation:
- AFCON 2023 is scheduled for January 13th to February 11th, 2024 in Cote d’Ivoire. Millions of football fans were looking forward to SuperSport’s coverage, known for its high quality and dedicated analysis.
- However, MultiChoice announced that they haven’t secured the broadcasting rights for the tournament. This means none of the SuperSport channels will be showing AFCON matches, including SuperSport 1, 2, 4, etc.
- MultiChoice hasn’t disclosed the reason behind not securing the rights. Several theories are circulating, including potential high costs or strategic decisions by the rights holders.
- Despite the absence of SuperSport, fans aren’t completely left out. The AFCON matches will be available through partner broadcast stations on Free-to-Air (FTA) channels. This means viewers with access to basic TV packages might still be able to catch the games.
Here are some additional things to keep in mind:
- The list of FTA channels airing AFCON 2023 might vary depending on your location. Check with your local TV provider for specific details.
- The production quality and commentary might differ from SuperSport’s usual coverage.
- This situation has sparked various discussions about broadcasting rights, accessibility, and the future of sports coverage in Africa.