By Sharon Ekhiwere
Just some hours ago, the news of African broadcast giant, MultiChoice not securing the AFCON 2023 broadcast right threw many into a state of dilemma as to how to connect Cote d’Ivoire from their respective residents became cloudy and uncertain.
In a twist of event and a move that promises to redefine sports broadcasting in Africa and succour for Nigerians, another giant media outfit, StarTimes has officially secured the air rights for the highly anticipated TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 and all CAF Events held in 2024 in Anglophone & Lusophone Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, including CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2025 Qualifiers, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.
This strategic acquisition comes just days after renowned media giants, Multichoice failed to secure the broadcasting rights to broadcast the continent’s biggest footballing event on its SuperSport channels, thereby hurting the viewing options of many football fans in Nigeria.
According to Startimes via their official X (formerly Twitter) account, they announced that all fifty-two matches will be aired exclusively on Sports Premium, Sports Life and Beta Sports channels from January 13th to February 11th.
StarTimes’ investment in the rights for AFCON 2023 and CAF Events reflects the company’s dedication to supporting and promoting African sports. By securing these rights, StarTimes aims to bring the thrill and excitement of AFCON to an even broader audience, fostering a sense of unity and pride across the continent.
“We are delighted to announce that StarTimes has secured the broadcasting rights for AFCON 2023,” said Joshua Wang, CEO at StarTimes.
“This represents a significant milestone for us as we continue to bring the best in sports entertainment to our viewers. AFCON is a celebration of African talent and passion, and we are proud to play a key role in delivering this experience to homes across the continent.”
Three-time AFCON winners, Nigeria will face the hosts, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea in Group A.
The Super Eagles, in their quest for a fourth continental title, will take on Equatorial Guinea on January 14 in their first match of Group A, before further clashes with host nation Ivory Coast on January 18 and Guinea Bissau on January 22.