AFCON 2023 on SuperSport – Multichoice Media broadcasting won’t be happening this year. Sub-Saharan Africa football enthusiasts were shocked by reports that the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) won’t air on DStv’s SuperSport channels. Multichoice, the widely-used pay TV service in Sub-Saharan Africa, revealed that they wouldn’t be airing the tournament due to hosting rights. Consequently, SuperSport, the go-to sports channel for numerous DSTV subscribers, confirmed they wouldn’t broadcast the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
Just nine days remain until the tournament kicks off, slated to run from January 13th to February 11th in Ivory Coast. Unfortunately, SuperSport Channel won’t be showcasing the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023, set between January 13th and February 11th, 2024, due to unsecured broadcasting rights for the event.
DStv has been a consistent hub for football content across Africa, leaving many African nations, in particular, disheartened at the prospect of missing out on watching and cheering their favorite teams. However, they clarified that the AFCON 2023 matches will still be accessible through their affiliated broadcast stations on Free-to-Air (FTA) channels on DSTV.
Multichoice emphasized its dedication to ensuring that football enthusiasts maintain unparalleled access to entertainment and football matches on DSTV and GOTV platforms. They stated,
“Multichoice Africa remains devoted to ensuring that football fans throughout Africa continue to have unmatched access to entertainment and football matches offered on DSTV and GOTV platforms, including high-profile leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, the Zambian Super League, and many more of football’s most prestigious competitions.”
Why AFCON 2023 on SuperSport – Multichoice Media isn’t Happening?
The absence of DStv’s coverage is a result of a shift in African football television dynamics. It follows the success of Togolese broadcaster New World TV in acquiring both Free-to-Air and Pay TV rights for all CAF competitions across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Previously, these rights were under the control of the African Union of Broadcasters, SuperSport International, and Canal Plus.
Reports indicated that New World TV and CAF have a three-year agreement to become the rights holders for a total of 13 competitions. This includes the 2023 and 2025 AFCON tournaments, spanning 46 countries in the region, encompassing South Africa.
Consequently, free-to-air stations within these 46 countries aiming to broadcast the AFCON and other CAF competitions must sublicense the rights through New World TV.
Amidst complaints from some Nigerians, journalist Nurudeen Obalola also raised questions about CAF’s handling of the bidding process.
Did CAF Mishandle the TV Rights?
“Once more, CAF’s mishandling of the TV rights has let down millions of fans across Africa who won’t easily access AFCON 2023. We saw a similar issue during the start of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. It’s truly disappointing.”
Journalist Oluwashina Okeleji
“Entrusting this AFCON TV rights matter to a third party instead of CAF adds complexity. If SuperSport couldn’t manage it while others could, subscribers should consider shifting to the rights holders if that’s a viable option,”
journalist Oluwashina Okeleji. (Punch)