SuperSport backtracks, confirms broadcast of all 52 Afcon matches

Leaving it as late as possible, MultiChoice has executed a dramatic U-turn, announcing that SuperSport will now broadcast all 52 games of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). 

READ | Afcon blackout for SuperSport subscribers… SABC to the rescue

Initially, MultiChoice had issued a statement confirming their inability to secure the rights for Africa's premier football event, sparking widespread outcry across South Africa and the continent.

However, SuperSport has now confirmed that they will broadcast all Afcon games live, having reached an agreement with the rights holders, New World TV.

"We are delighted to be able to showcase the best of African football live to our viewers," Rendani Ramovha, SuperSport CEO, said.

As part of this agreement, Nimonka Kolani, managing director of NWTV, also declared: "By securing the rights to CAN 2023 under the leadership of Dr Patrice Motsepe, SuperSport and NWTV prove that nothing is more important than the happiness of Africans who wish to follow the exploits of their favourite team during the biggest football competition in Africa."

The tournament, which will be held in Ivory Coast, will kick-off on Saturday, 13 January with the host nation facing off against Guinea-Bissau, and run until 11 February.

Bafana Bafana, in Group E alongside Mali, neighbours Namibia and Tunisia, departed for the West African nation on Thursday. 

Hugo Broos' charges will be based in Korhogo, Ivory Coast for the group stage of the tournament. 

Bafana's first match will take place on Tuesday, 16 January against Mali at 22:00 (SA time) before taking on Namibia (21 January, 22:00) and Tunisia (24 January, 19:00).

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