Nigeria’s most successful club, Enyimba and their oriental brothers, Rangers, have been listed by FIFA amongst 16 top African clubs that will take part in a post Covid-19 fund raising tournament, Completesports.com reports.
Popularity in the African continent is principally the criteria for the selection of the teams, it was further gathered.
Esperance of Tunisia, Al Ahly of Egypt, Kaiser Chiefs of South Africa, TP Mazembe of Congo DR and Accra Hearts of Oak of Ghana are also listed for the tournament scheduled to hold on home and away format.
Zamalek of Egypt, Orlando Pirates of South Africa, Kampala City Club KCC of Uganda, Zesco United of Zambia, El Merreikh of Sudan, Gor Mahia of Kenya, AS Vita of Congo,, Raja Casablanca and Wydad both of Morocco complete the list.
Such tournament, FIFA said, would be held in other continents but did not put a time frame.
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The global football body only disclosed that the tournament would only take place ‘when it is safe for fans to return to the stadium’.
“The tournament will be held in each continent at the same time”, FIFA said. “It will last for a month with the tournament starting with group ties played over two legs.
“The money realised will be managed by FIFA who will in turn reward each club or representatives during an award to the Champions at its inauguration of inter club tournament in the Hall of Heroes in Zurich, Switzerland”.
Complete Sports checks reveal that Enyimba and Rangers are already aware of the tournament even as FIFA is yet to officially communicate the duo.
“We have heard about the tournament”, an Enyimba official confirmed to Complete Sports on Saturday.
“It’s not a bad idea. But we have not been officially communicated by FIFA”.
His Rangers counterpart equally admitted knowledge of the tournament.
“We’ve heard about it. Our contact with some of the clubs equally proved positive but we are yet to hear directly from FIFA or CAF,” the Flying Antelopes official said.
