“We understand the disappointment which we will face from our football loving fans as the Africa 5s League has become quite the spectacle where Africa’s most talented players showcase their talent. Furthermore, the spirit of this League is one which promotes diverse groups of people coming together and a celebration of the different backgrounds, races and people across borders,” said Castle Lager Brand Director, Kudzi Mathabire.
Mathabire went on to acknowledge that although the stakeholders had initially postponed the League, the brand recognizes the unprecedented nature of the global situation and how it affects the sporting calendar and has reached the decision to cancel the 2020 edition and opt for an alternative date in 2021 when it will be safe for all participants.
“Our decision is based on the growing COVID-19 public health threat and the impracticality of hosting the 5-A-Side continental league across the sixteen countries during this year.
In addition to such uncertainties, we also looked at our inability to ensure that our tournament proceedings will not contribute to the spread of the outbreak. We would like to reiterate that the safety and well being of our consumers and the individuals involved in organising this League across all sixteen countries is our first priority,” she said.
The cancellation of this year’s League applies to all markets apart from Zambia, which will resume with the regional and national league of which the dates will be communicated. As some of the markets had already started receiving entries, all teams which entered for the 2020 League, will gain automatic promotion into the 2021 edition of the campaign.
Mathabire says: “We would like to thank our partner brands for their unanimous support and the great partnership in the consultation process. We are confident that, working together with all our stakeholders, we have come to the best solution. We look forward to relaunching this exciting initiative to our passionate, football loving consumers in 2021.”
The Africa 5s is a continental social football league that initially launched with five countries in 2018.
The year 2019 saw the league’s expansion from five countries to eight countries as well as the inclusion of a woman’s league.
This year’s edition was set to grow even further with the addition of eight more countries as well as a partnership with sister brands Dourada, Club, Carling Black Label, Castle Free, Nile Special, Safari as well as Trophy.
Image (Brand Ambassador and Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o with Castle Lager Brand Director, Kudzi Mathabire at the launch earlier this year in Nigeria).
