In a groundbreaking move, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that all clubs participating in the 2023/24 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup must have a women’s football team.

Failure to meet this requirement will result in the denial of a license to compete in these prestigious tournaments. The decision was communicated to all Member Associations by CAF on Tuesday 6th June 2023, signaling a significant step forward for women’s football on the African continent.

With the aim of promoting and advancing women’s football, CAF has set a deadline of June 30 for all clubs to fulfill this new licensing criterion.

This directive aligns with CAF’s ongoing commitment to gender equality and inclusivity in the sport, as well as its efforts to strengthen the foundation of women’s football across Africa.

By mandating the inclusion of a women’s football team, CAF hopes to provide more opportunities for female athletes to showcase their talent and contribute to the growth of the game. This move also recognizes 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 aims to increase female participation, engagement, and investment in women’s football at all levels. By integrating women’s teams into the club licensing process, CAF is actively contributing to the fulfillment of these strategic objectives.