Staff Reporter.
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The South African Football Association (SAFA) announced their intention to host this year’s CAF Champions League final and the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Safa vice president Gladwyn White confirmed on Friday that they’ve written to their continental mother body to stage the contest in the country.
“Last season we saw SA football fans and the SA media having this ideal dream of our representatives, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, making it to the Caf Champions League,” White said.
“However, Sundowns didn’t make it to the final for that ideal dream or wish that we had.
“We were proud of what Chiefs achieved under difficult circumstances they went through.
“That’s why as the Safa leadership we have submitted the letter of intent to host the Caf Champions League final of 2022 where we would like these two SA clubs to come and display their skills in front of their own fans and local football lovers.
Sundowns currently lead Group A standings and host Egyptian side Al Ahly at FNB Stadium on Saturday (15:00).
Meanwhile, AmaZulu is second behind Raja Casablanca in Group B and travel to Algeria to face ES Sétif also on Saturday.
SAFA will also bid to host the Africa Women Cup of Nations in 2024.
“As far as the Africa Women Cup of Nations is concerned, we [Banyana Banyana] have qualified for the 2022 tournament in Morocco [from 2 July to 23 July].
“They are going to Morocco and we are hoping they will be in the final of this competition. Certainly, they must qualify for the World Cup. On that basis, we have indicated to CAF we are keen to host the 2024 Women’s Cup of Nations.
“We will be discussing this matter with the minister of sport, Minister Nathi Mthethwa, and ask the government to give us support to make that bid because it is not a once-off match, it is a tournament.
“Therefore, we need to get government support for the bid to host the Afcon for women in 2024. I think we should have a significantly strong team by then to hopefully be in the final and win it.”