Millions of Nigerians who wanted to watch exciting football action from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will have their hope dashed as MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv, said SuperSport will not be broadcasting live matches on Wednesday.
Multichoice stated that SuperSport TV could not secure the broadcasting rights, leaving millions across Africa scrambling for alternative ways to watch the continent’s biggest football tournament.
The 2023 AFCON will kick off in Ivory Coast on 13 January 13 to February 11, 2024, as 24 nations compete for the title.
“SuperSport Channel will not broadcast the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 scheduled for January 13th to February 11th, 2024, because the channel has not secured the rights to broadcast the tournament,” MultiChoice said.
“However, AFCON 2023 games will be available through our partner broadcast stations on Free to Air (FTA) channels.
“Multichoice Africa remains committed to ensuring football fans across Africa continue to enjoy unrivalled access to entertainment and football games available on DStv and GOtv platforms including, the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Zambian Super League and many more of football’s most prestigious competitions,” MultiChoice added.
Reacting to the news, some fans took to their X (formerly Twitter) account to express their displeasure as millions of paid subscribers will not be watching this year’s AFCON.
A Twitter user identified as @Achorayday said it is the biggest sad news for millions of football fans hoping to watch their darling Super Eagles and other African teams play at the biggest football competition in Africa.
@Achorayday said: “Same nations cup to be played in Africa? This is no good news, especially knowing MultiChoice is one major broadcasting brand in Nigeria.”
Another fan identified S.Broadway @S_Broadway1807 said: “Just saying this a week to go knowing fully well people would have subscribed ahead for AFCON wish another company can give multichoice a run for their money.”
MacCheese @MacChee98939863 said: “First the qualifiers, now AFCON itself, so who now has the rights…smh.”
RoyalTipz @RoyalTipz also said: “Are people still using Multichoice’s DSTV? Hmmm. Okay o. Just try to get data and you can watch every sports activity globally.”
Another football fan who is also a subscriber said he would rather use the money on something else than subscribe and not watch the 2023 AFCON.
Ransome Chinonso (Elder intoto) @MgbeahuruRanso1 said: “Wanted to sub my Dstv because of this AFCON. Make I use the money do Akawo.”
TobyWrites @tobyasky added: “That’s the ripple effect of monopoly.”
Three-time African champion, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, will kick off their quest for a fourth AFCON title and will take on Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, 14th January 14, in their first match of Group A, before further clashes with host nation Cote d’Ivoire on January 18 and Guinea Bissau on January 22.
