Linafoot: towards a burial of the hatchet between FECOFA and the clubs for the 2023-24 format
The Fédération Congolaise de Football Association (FECOFA) and the Congolese Ligue 1 football clubs finally seem ready to put an end to their disputes over the format of the championship for the 2023-2024 season. In a meeting held recently, different parties expressed the wish to adopt a three-zone format, a proposal which seems to be consensual among the clubs.
This meeting was initiated by the Minister of Sports, François Claude Kabulo Mwana Kabulo, who brought together the members of the FECOFA Standardization Committee, led by its president Dieudonné Sambi, as well as the representatives of the clubs. The objective was to discuss and find a compromise on the format of the championship in order to allow an effective resumption of sports activities.
The president of the Standardization Committee, Lambert Osango, expressed the wish to find a simple format that is appreciated by all the actors involved, including the population. He underlined the importance of returning to the field of play and meeting the expectations of fans and players.
However, FECOFA remains cautious and maintains that the format of the championship must also meet the requirements of FIFA, and not only satisfy part of the people involved. FECOFA president Dieudonné Sambi has expressed concern over potential inequality in the clubs’ proposed format, which sees six teams move up to the top flight without an equivalent descent. He stressed the importance of fostering fairness and not favoring one league over the others.
The final decision remains in the hands of FECOFA, which must take into account the requirements of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and find a balance between club aspirations and international standards. Time is running out, as Linafoot has already published its calendar with a resumption date set for August 23.
Pending the final decision, it is clear that harmonizing opinions and seeking consensus is necessary to ensure a successful and satisfying season for all parties involved