The National Television Authority (NTA) has secured broadcasting rights to air all 52 matches of the highly anticipated 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), causing a monumental shift in African football broadcast exclusivity.
This disrupting move comes in the wake of MultiChoice’s announcement of their inability to broadcast the tournament on DSTV and SuperSport, leaving a vacuum in coverage just days before the kickoff.
NTA announced this groundbreaking development via their official platform on X, confirming a strategic partnership with Afro Sports to bring the AFCON spectacle to Nigerian screens. The announcement, made on Wednesday, highlighted the signing of a memorandum of understanding between NTA and Afro Sports for the transmission of the entire tournament, setting the stage for an unprecedented level of access for Nigerian viewers.
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NEWSFLASH
NTA SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH AFRO SPORTS FOR TRANSMISSION OF 52 MATCHES OF AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS IN COTE D'iVOIRE. pic.twitter.com/434f0uxJzv— NTA News (@NTANewsNow) January 10, 2024
Following the exclusivity shake-up in African football broadcasting, which saw Togolese broadcaster New World TV secure the broadcasting rights for all CAF competitions in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, including the 2023 and 2025 AFCON tournaments, Nigerian viewers faced an unexpected blackout on DStv. This development upended the status quo, ousting previous holders like SuperSport International and Canal Plus from the scene.
The three-year deal inked between New World TV and CAF covers rights for a staggering 13 competitions, spanning 46 countries in the region. This comprehensive agreement extends its reach far beyond the AFCON tournaments, encompassing various competitions, and mandates that free-to-air stations within these nations acquire broadcasting rights through sublicensing facilitated by New World TV.
The abrupt blackout on DStv, a longstanding source of football content across Africa, has left Nigerian viewers disheartened, particularly due to the looming AFCON tournament. The sudden unavailability of the platform jeopardizes the chance for Nigerian football enthusiasts to witness the Super Eagles’ quest for a coveted fourth AFCON title.
However, this groundbreaking shift in broadcasting rights facilitated by NTA has come to the rescue of Nigerian football enthusiasts, who now have the opportunity to catch every moment of the AFCON action from the comfort of their homes. With NTA at the helm, fans across the nation can eagerly anticipate witnessing all the thrills, goals, and drama that define this prestigious continental football tournament.
The AFCON 2023 tournament is set to kick off with a high-stakes Group A match between hosts Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan on January 13, 2024. Nigeria’s Super Eagles, positioned in Group A alongside Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau, are slated to launch their campaign against Equatorial Guinea at the same venue on Sunday, January 14, at 3 pm Nigerian time.
The team aims to seize their chance at clinching a fourth AFCON title, igniting hopes and fervor among Nigerian football enthusiasts.
NTA’s acquisition of the AFCON broadcasting rights not only assures comprehensive coverage but also signifies a monumental shift in the accessibility and availability of top-tier football events to the Nigerian audience.