In a few days, the first edition of the African Football League will begin, bringing together eight major African clubs that have made their mark over the last five years. Among these teams, TP Mazembe, the only Congolese representative, faces concerns regarding the transport of its broadcast equipment for matches in Lubumbashi.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently sent a letter to Moïse Katumbi’s club, encouraging it to facilitate the transport of broadcast equipment from the Medialusco company to Lubumbashi. CAF, through its African Football League subsidiary, clarified that obtaining an import letter was necessary to allow Medialusco to quickly transport the equipment.
TP Mazembe responded to this request by sending a letter to the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA), stressing that the organization of African Football League matches required adequate logistics for the television production of the matches. The club’s leaders therefore requested temporary admission to Lubumbashi, without duties or taxes, for the equipment.
However, since July, Medialusco’s request has not received any favorable response. The broadcast equipment used during the Francophonie Games remains blocked in the installations of the General Directorate of Customs and Excise (DGDA) in Kinshasa, without a clear explanation.
This situation concerns TP Mazembe, less than a week before the start of the competition. The five-time African champions fear not being able to broadcast their home matches. These logistical problems come on top of previous disagreements between the club and the Congolese authorities in the context of continental competitions.
It is crucial that the relevant authorities act quickly to resolve this situation and allow TP Mazembe to fully participate in the African Football League. The club proudly represents the DRC and its performances on the pitch deserve to be broadcast and appreciated by fans across the continent. It is also crucial to improve communication and coordination between different bodies to avoid such problems in the future.
The African Football League promises to be an exciting competition, showcasing the talent and competitiveness of African clubs. Let’s hope that the logistical problems of TP Mazembe will be quickly resolved so that the club can take full advantage of this opportunity and offer quality matches to Congolese and African supporters.
Sources:
– Article 1: [link]
– Article 2: [link]
– Article 3: [link]
– Article 4: [link]
– Article 5: [link]
– Article 6: [link]
– Article 7: [link]
– Article 8: [link]