GPL winner to miss out on CAF Champions League participation due to new directive

It is possible that no Ghanaian club will play in the CAF Champions League next season.

This is because, in a bid to promote gender equality and elevate women’s football in Africa, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has implemented a new rule stating that any men’s team without a women’s counterpart will be ineligible to participate in future CAF Champions League competitions, starting from the 2023/24 season.

Currently, only Hearts of Oak in the top-flight league currently have a competitive women’s team, represented by Nimobi Ladies FC in the Women’s Division One League. Asante Kotoko had previously expressed interest in adopting Fabulous Ladies ahead of the 2020/21 season, although the initiative did not materialize.

The 2022/23 Ghana Premier League season is scheduled to come to an end in the coming weekend.

Potentially, two clubs including Medeama SC and Bechem United could be crowned Champions of the league depending on the results from their respective final games of the season.

The worry now is whether the potential champion has a women’s team required to secure the certificate to participate in the 2023/24 CAF Champions League.

Meanwhile, clubs have until June 30 to secure the license for next season’s Champions League.