Poor quality broadcast of CAF CL semifinals due to stranded equipment

Football fans around the African continent and elsewhere around the world where the premium club competition is being televised were surprised by the substandard level of live pictures from the Stade TP Mazembe.

Minutes into the first leg tie between the two giants it was clear something was amiss given the camera angles and positions.

The second fixture in the other semifinal between Esperance de Tunis and Mamelodi Sundowns at the Stade Olympique Rades in Tunisia was chalk and cheese in comparison, keeping up with the CAF norm. 

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SABC Sport has established that the team assigned by the football governing body to produce the match in the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] struggled to get the necessary items past the border gates to get the job done.

CAF have a partnership with several broadcasters around the world as seen during the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] hosted by Cote d’ Ivoire in January  – including SABC, beINSports, Sky Sports and the BBC to name a few.

This means they’ve built a solid relationship and are expected to maintain the same standard as witnessed during the 24-nations tournament.

But there was widespread criticism yesterday afternoon during the match, which ended in a goalless draw with Al Ahly hosting the second leg in Cairo next weekend.

The public broadcaster reached out to CAF for comment and clarity on the situation and all Luxolo September, head of television and acting director of communications, could say was that the “CAF TV production team has been at the border and unfortunately, the equipment needed to produce the game is still there as we speak.”