Football on the African continent, like other regions, is followed heavily and passionately. Just like Europe and South America, there are many keenly contested league competitions in many countries across the African landscape. This article will look to spotlight some of the best leagues that the continent has on offer.
1. Botola Pro League (Morocco)
The Moroccan Botola Pro League is the premier league competition in the country. Founded in 1956, the league is Ranked as the best in Africa according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The league is contested by 16 teams. The two bottom teams get relegated at the end of the season to the Moroccan 2nd tier Botola Elite 2. Conversely, the 2 top teams from the second tier get promoted to the Pro League. The current defending champions are Raja Casablanca. The league has been won a record 20 times by Wydad Casablanca.
2. Algerian Ligue 1
The Algerian Ligue 1 is the premier league competition in the country. Founded in 1904, the league only became a standardized league format after the independence of Algeria in 1962. Sixteen teams contest the league title every season, with 3 teams getting relegated at the end of the season to the 2nd tier. The top 3 teams in the lower tier will then replace the relegated teams for the new season. The current defending champions are CR Belouizdad, while the all-time record league winners are JS Kabylie, who have won the league title a record 14 times. The Algerian football league has produced some of the best African goalkeepers like Azzedine Doukha, Moustapha Zeghba and Raïs M’Bolhi.
3. Egyptian Premier League
The Egyptian Premier League is one of the most hotly contested leagues on the African continent. Founded in 1948, the league is regarded by CAF as one of the best on the continent. A total of 18 clubs contest for the league title every season. The 3 bottom teams at the end of the season get relegated to the Egyptian division 2, replaced by the 3 top teams from the same division to compete the next season. Al Ahly, as well as being current champions, have also won the title the most times, winning a mammoth 42 league titles over the years.
4. Premier Soccer League (South Africa)
The South African Premier Soccer League is, according to many, one of the best organized and competitive football leagues in Africa. Established in 1996, the PSL consists of 16 teams that compete every season for the league title. At the end of the season, the bottom-placed team is relegated to the National Division 1, replaced by the top team from that same division. At the end of the season, the second bottom team will compete in a playoff against the second top finishers in the national division to determine who will compete in the PSL next season. The current defending champions and record League winners are Mamelodi Sundowns, who have won the PSL 10 times.
5. Tunisian Ligue 1
The Tunisian Ligue 1 is the number 1 top tier league in the country. Established in 1907, the league competition has changed over the years before settling into its current format. Fourteen teams currently contest for the league every season. At the end of the season, the 2 bottom sides are relegated to the Tunisian second tier, replaced by the two top teams from the same division to compete in Ligue 1 next season. Esperance Sportive de Tunis, who are currently defending champions, also hold the record of title wins with an impressive 30 league trophies in their kitty.
