By Sogeyinbo Abdulrahmon Olabanji (SIWES student, Gate Way ICT Polytechnic)
In a surprising turn of events, the National Television Authority (NTA) has clinched the exclusive broadcasting rights for the highly anticipated 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
This monumental deal ensures that every moment of the continental football extravaganza will be showcased on NTA, marking a departure from the usual broadcaster, Multichoice.
The Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the TotalEnergies AFCON, is Africa’s premier international men’s association football competition.
The upcoming edition, scheduled to commence on January 13, 2024, and conclude on February 11, 2024, will unfold in the football-centric nation of Cote d’Ivoire.
NTA has forged a game-changing partnership with Afro Sports, solidifying a memorandum of understanding that guarantees the broadcast of all 52 thrilling matches of the AFCON tournament.
The twist in broadcasting rights took place as Multichoice, the owner of DSTV and Super Sports, failed to secure the coveted TV rights for the tournament.
Multichoice confirmed that its SuperSport channels would not be televising AFCON 2023 due to the inability to secure the rights, with games being made available through partner broadcast stations on Free to Air (FTA) channels.
Despite this setback, Multichoice Africa remains steadfast in providing unrivaled access to football games and entertainment through platforms like DStv and GOtv, featuring prestigious competitions such as the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Zambian Super League, and more.
