AFRICAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (AFA)
Official Mandate & Competition Framework
Issued by the African Football Association (AFA), Mianyang, China — September 2026
1. PREAMBLE
The African Football Association (AFA) is the duly constituted governing body for African student-athletes resident in Mianyang, People's Republic of China. Established to promote, regulate, and develop the sport of football within this community, the AFA operates under the core values of unity, integrity, excellence, and continental pride.
This document serves as the official articulation of the Association's mandate, organisational structure, and the operational framework governing its two flagship competitions.
2. MANDATE & CORE FUNCTIONS
The AFA is entrusted with the following principal responsibilities:
2.1 Governance & Administration
- To oversee all football-related activities within its jurisdiction.
- To enact, interpret, and enforce the Association's constitution, bylaws, and competition rules.
- To ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and ethical standards.
2.2 Registration & Player Management
- To facilitate the official registration of all participating teams.
- To maintain a comprehensive and accurate register of all eligible players, including records of eligibility, transfers, and participation history.
- To manage player status and resolve any registration disputes.
2.3 Competition Implementation
- To plan, schedule, and execute all AFA-sanctioned tournaments and league fixtures.
- To appoint match officials and ensure the availability of adequate facilities and resources.
2.4 Fairness & Transparency
- To uphold the highest standards of sporting integrity in all proceedings.
- To enforce disciplinary measures fairly and consistently.
- To guarantee equal opportunity and equitable treatment for all participants, regardless of background.
3. MAJOR COMPETITIONS
The AFA organises and administers two premier annual football events:
3.1 African Nations League (ANL)
| Full name | African Nations League |
|---|---|
| Acronym | ANL |
| Format | Season-long league competition |
| Match structure | Two-legged, home-and-away fixtures |
| Objective | To crown the most consistent club team over the duration of the season |
| Tagline | One League. One Continent. United in Competition. |
| Guiding vision | Clubs rise to greatness; nations earn glory. |
The ANL emphasises endurance, consistency, and strategic depth, rewarding sustained performance across the full season.
3.2 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
| Full name | Africa Cup of Nations |
|---|---|
| Acronym | AFCON |
| Format | Knockout tournament |
| Match structure | Group stage followed by single-leg knockout rounds |
| Objective | To determine the continental champion in a high-stakes, winner-takes-all environment |
| Tagline | One Continent. One Cup. One Legacy. |
| Guiding vision | Where champions become legends; where nations battle for pride and inspire generations. |
AFCON celebrates the spirit of cup competition — where every match is a final and where history is written in moments of brilliance and bravery.
4. OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLES
- Integrity: All matches, decisions, and administrative actions are conducted with honesty, impartiality, and strict adherence to the rules.
- Inclusivity: Participation is open to all eligible African students in Mianyang, without discrimination on any grounds.
- Excellence: The Association strives for the highest standards in organisation, competition, and player development.
- Community: The AFA fosters lasting bonds among participants, built through shared passion, mutual respect, and collective endeavour.
5. OFFICIAL MOTTO
“One Continent. One Game. One Platform.”
“United by Passion. Powered by AFA.”
6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This document supersedes all previous verbal and written communications regarding the AFA mandate. All member teams, players, and officials are bound by the provisions contained herein and any subsequent amendments duly published by the Association.