In a historic development, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made an unprecedented announcement stating that every club participating in the 2023/24 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup must have a women's football team. Failing to meet this criterion will result in the denial of a license to compete in these esteemed tournaments. CAF conveyed this decision to all Member Associations on June 6, 2023, marking a significant leap forward for women's football on the African continent.
With the intention of promoting and advancing women's football, CAF has set a deadline of June 30 for all clubs to comply with this new licensing requirement. This directive is in line with CAF's ongoing dedication to gender equality and inclusivity in the sport, as well as its endeavours to fortify the foundation of women's football throughout Africa.
By mandating the inclusion of a women's football team, CAF aims to create more opportunities for female athletes to demonstrate their skills and contribute to the development of the game. This decision also acknowledges the immense potential and untapped resources that women's football offers to African football as a whole.
The introduction of this requirement also aligns with the principles outlined in FIFA's Women's Football Strategy, which seeks to enhance female participation, engagement, and investment in women's football at all levels. By integrating women's teams into the club licensing process, CAF actively contributes to the achievement of these strategic objectives.