In a surprising move, Multichoice, the parent company of DStv, declared on Wednesday that the highly anticipated African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 tournament will not be broadcasted on its SuperSport channels.
The satellite broadcasting giant cited the inability to secure the broadcasting rights for the continent’s premier football event scheduled to take place from January 13th to February 11th, 2024.
In an official statement, Multichoice clarified, “SuperSport Channel will not broadcast the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 because the channel has not secured the rights to broadcast the tournament.”
This unexpected development has left football enthusiasts in dismay, as SuperSport has been a traditional hub for major football tournaments.
However, Multichoice assured fans that AFCON 2023 games will still be accessible through partner broadcast stations on Free to Air (FTA) channels. The company emphasized its ongoing commitment to providing unparalleled access to football and entertainment across Africa through its DStv and GOtv platforms.
Multichoice Africa highlighted its dedication to offering a diverse range of football content, including prestigious competitions such as the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Zambian Super League, and more.
Despite the setback regarding AFCON 2023, the company aims to continue delivering quality sports content to football fans across the continent.
As the 34th edition of AFCON kicks off on January 13 in Ivory Coast, Nigerian football enthusiasts will need to explore alternative viewing options to follow the three-time winners, Super Eagles, as they contend with Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea in Group A.
The Eagles’ journey towards a fourth continental title will commence with a match against Equatorial Guinea on January 14, followed by clashes with host nation Ivory Coast on January 18 and Guinea Bissau on January 22.