No AFCON 2023 on SuperSport Channel as DSTV Loses Broadcast Rights
Lagos, Nigeria – Football fans in Nigeria and other African countries will not be able to watch the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 on SuperSport Channel, as the pay-TV service provider DSTV failed to secure the broadcast rights for the tournament.
This was announced by MultiChoice, the parent company of DSTV and SuperSport Channel, in a statement on Wednesday, just a week before the continental competition kicks off in Cameroon on January 13th.
“SuperSport Channel will not broadcast the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 scheduled for January 13th to February 11th, 2024, because the channel has not secured the rights to broadcast the tournament,” the statement read.
The statement did not give any reason for the failure to secure the rights, which were reportedly awarded to a French company, Lagardère Sports, by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
However, MultiChoice assured its subscribers that they will still be able to watch the AFCON 2023 games on some free-to-air (FTA) channels that have partnered with the company.
“However, AFCON 2023 games will be available through our partner broadcast stations on Free to Air (FTA) channels,” the statement added.
The statement did not specify which FTA channels will be showing the AFCON 2023 games, but some local media reports have suggested that the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the African Independent Television (AIT) are among them.
The news of SuperSport Channel not broadcasting the AFCON 2023 has been met with disappointment and frustration by many football fans, who have expressed their displeasure on social media.
Some fans have accused MultiChoice of being greedy and incompetent, while others have lamented the poor quality and coverage of the FTA channels.
SuperSport Channel has been the main broadcaster of the AFCON tournaments since 2008, and has been praised for its high-definition and comprehensive coverage of the games.
The AFCON 2023 is the 34th edition of the biennial tournament, which features 24 teams from across Africa competing for the continental glory.
Nigeria, the three-time champions, are in Group D with Egypt, Sudan, and Guinea-Bissau. The Super Eagles will play their first game against Egypt on January 15th.
