Top 10 Best Football Leagues In Africa 2024

The African continent is witnessing a burgeoning football scene, with local leagues garnering increasing interest and support. While football enjoys widespread popularity across Africa, the quality and appeal of leagues vary from nation to nation.

In this compilation, we highlight the top ten football leagues in Africa, considering factors such as fan base, sponsorship, media coverage, and overall maturity. These leagues represent the pinnacle of African football, captivating audiences and attracting followers both domestically and internationally.

As football continues to thrive in Africa, these leagues serve as the heartbeat of the continent's footballing passion, showcasing the talent and competitiveness inherent in African football. Without further ado, let's delve into the list of Africa's top football leagues, celebrating the diversity and vibrancy of the sport across the continent.

Top 10 Best Football Leagues In Africa 2024

• Tunisian Professional League
• Egyptian Premier League
• Botola
• Algerian Ligue Professionnelle
• Vodacom Ligue 1
• Sudanese league-Sudan
• ABSA Premier Soccer League-South Africa South
• Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) 
• Ivory Coast MTN Ligue 1
• Malian Première Division

1. The Tunisian Professional League

The Tunisian Professional League stands out as one of the premier football competitions in Africa, showcasing the prowess and influence of Tunisia in the continent's football landscape. Despite its location in the northern part of Africa, Tunisia boasts a formidable national team and a football league renowned for its quality and competitiveness.

Although sponsorship might not be as prevalent as in some other leagues, Tunisia's progressive infrastructure provides a solid foundation for football development and administration. The league attracts attention from various quarters due to its exciting matches and the caliber of clubs it hosts.

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A key measure of the league's greatness lies in the performance of its clubs on the continental stage. Tunisian football clubs such as Esperance de Tunis and Club Africain have consistently excelled, establishing themselves as continental powerhouses and perennial contenders in the CAF Champions League. Their success not only enhances their own reputation but also elevates the stature of the Tunisian Professional League on the African football scene.

2. The Egyptian Premier League

The Egyptian Premier League holds the prestigious position as the second-best football league in Africa. Established as early as 1948, it boasts a rich history and is sponsored by ETISALAT, reflecting its significance in African football.

One of the league's standout features is the extensive media coverage it receives, with both the Egyptian State broadcaster and private media institutions investing significant resources to promote it. This heightened exposure is fueled by the success of the Egyptian national team, which has clinched multiple AFCON titles, leading to increased investment in the league.

The league is home to iconic clubs such as Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily, which wield considerable influence on the continental stage. Al Ahly, in particular, has achieved remarkable success in the CAF Champions League, further solidifying the league's reputation for producing top-quality teams and players.

3. The Botola

The Botola, also known as the Moroccan Professional League, holds the esteemed position as the third-best football league in Africa. Translating to "The Tournament," it features 16 professional men's football clubs competing annually in the Moroccan Premier League (MPL).

Morocco's commitment to developing football infrastructure has been instrumental in the league's advancement. With impressive stadiums and well-compensated supporters, the league enjoys a solid foundation for progress and success. Additionally, the league benefits from the country's overall infrastructure, enhancing the overall experience for players and fans alike.

4. The Algerian Ligue Professionnelle

Ranked among the top leagues in Africa, the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1, formerly known as the Championnat National 1, stands as the premier professional men's football league in Algeria. It holds distinction not only within the Northern African region but across the entire continent.

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Comprising 16 clubs, the Algerian league boasts some of Africa's finest football clubs, contributing to its esteemed status. In 2014, the league underwent a rebranding, adopting its current name following sponsorship from Algerian telecommunications company, Mobilis, which injected additional funds into the league.

The league's prominence is further underscored by Algeria's success on the international stage, notably winning the 2019 AFCON title. This achievement reflects the nation's strong footballing pedigree, which extends to its domestic league, cementing its place among Africa's leading football competitions.

5. The Vodacom Ligue 1

Moving away from North Africa, the spotlight now shifts to the Vodacom Ligue 1, the premier division of the Congolese Association Football Federation. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has made significant investments in football, yielding substantial rewards for the nation.

Established in 1958, the Vodacom Ligue 1 holds the distinction of being one of Africa's oldest football leagues. Alongside its rich history, the league boasts the presence of prominent and successful clubs like Vita Club, adding to its allure and prestige within the African football landscape.

6. Sudanese league-Sudan

Despite Sudan's current standing as a lesser force in African football, the nation proudly hosts one of the continent's premier leagues. Supported primarily by the country's oil wealth, the Sudanese league enjoys financial stability, enabling clubs to offer competitive salaries to players and fostering a positive environment for growth and development.

7. ABSA Premier Soccer League-South Africa South

South Africa, known for its robust economy and top-notch infrastructure, has emerged as a powerhouse in African football. The nation's significant investment in football has propelled its status within the African football community. Notably, South Africa stands as the sole African country to have hosted the FIFA World Cup, a feat accomplished in 2010.

Established in 1996, the ABSA Premier Soccer League (PSL) has quickly risen to prominence despite being one of the youngest leagues in Africa. This rapid ascent can be attributed in part to substantial financial backing. In 2007 alone, the league received a significant injection of $61 million from its primary sponsor, in addition to a lucrative $195 million deal secured with SuperSport.

This financial support has not only enhanced the league's infrastructure and operations but has also contributed to its standing as one of the premier football competitions on the continent.

8. Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) 

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The Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) is widely recognized as one of the top football leagues on the African continent. While it may have faced challenges and seen a decline in its fortunes since the late 2000s, it remains a breeding ground for exceptional talent.

Despite its setbacks, the NPFL has nurtured numerous outstanding players who have gone on to excel both within and outside the continent. Additionally, Nigeria boasts a formidable national team, known for its resilience and skill, consistently ranking among the best in Africa.

While the league may have encountered obstacles, its legacy of producing top-quality players and contributing to the strength of Nigerian football endures, reaffirming its status as a key player in African football.

9. The Ivory Coast MTN Ligue 1

Commonly referred to as Ligue 1, stands out as one of the premier football leagues on the African continent. Established in 1960, it boasts a rich history and has played a pivotal role in shaping Ivorian football.

Notably, the league has been instrumental in nurturing and developing numerous African football stars who have achieved remarkable success playing in Europe. Icons such as Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Yaya Toure, and Emmanuel Eboue are just a few examples of players who honed their skills in the Ivory Coast Ligue 1 before making significant impacts on the international stage.

This legacy of producing top-tier talent underscores the league's significance within African football and solidifies its reputation as one of the best leagues on the continent.

10. Malian Première Division

The Malian Première Division, established in 1966 and professionalized since 2004, stands as Mali's top football division overseen by the Malian Football Federation. Sponsored by Orange, the league is officially known as Ligue 1 Orange Mali and typically runs from December to late August.

Distinguished by its format featuring fourteen clubs, the league's champion earns the privilege of representing Mali in the prestigious CAF Champions League. Despite encountering challenges, the Malian Première Division maintains its status as one of the continent's top football leagues, contributing to the rich tapestry of African football.