What could Caf do to improve the image of the African Champions League?

The third set of matches in the group stage of the Caf Champions League begin this weekend.

But many people in Africa say they would rather watch the European version, the draw for which is also currently being decided - where many of the best Africans play anyway.

The tournament generates only a tiny amount of the money its European cousin does, although in some countries - for example Egypt - the games are well-attended.

And perhaps one of the biggest names in African football - Cameroon striker Patrick Mboma - recently moved to Libyan club Al Ittihad stating he wanted to help them win the Champions League in 2003.

Do you find the tournament a good draw? Or would you rather be watching Dortmund?

What would make the African Champions League better?

Of course the Uefa Champions League is better. They have most of, if not all the stars from around the world playing in the European leagues, so of course they attract more people. The solution is simple. If the club's stadia is not up to scratch then the club should be disqualifed, if the club doesn't have the funds to participate, then they should be disqualified. Caf needs to set the bar so that only the good teams get to play. It's time to start being more Professional. And of course Caf should do a better job of finding sponsors and increase the prize money.
Doubting Thomas, Nigeria

For the Caf Champions League to be more effective, the level of refeering on the continent must improve. The necessary infrastructure must also be put in place either by the clubs or with support from their respective govrnments. Caf must also increase the prize money for the participating clubs and also support the National Associations in the organisation of the various domestic league competitions so that worthy champions may emerge from the domestic leagues to compete in the Caf competition.
Emmanuel Osei Ofosu, Ghana

What makes the Uefa Champions League so popular is its competitiveness and the high standard of play featuring the best players in the world. I would also add that its a prestigous competitions so clubs and players really want to excel in it. The same can be said about the Copa Liberdatores. Sadly the quality of most of the African Champions League games is really poor and the pitches of most of the games are even worse. A lot of teams don't seem to be able to maintain a fluid, tactically tight game for the whole 90 minutes. There is no doubt the talent is there but the coaches really have to step it up and develop a high level game.
Chiku Mtegha, Malawi

I'm a reasonably well-versed football fan and I've never even heard of the Caf Champions League. I think that may be the problem.
Michael, England

What the competition needs is sponsorship which Caf must do a better job of finding.
Tony, Cameroon/USA

The Champs League is good but it can be made better. The participating teams must be increased to at least two teams per country to make the competition more interesting. Refereeing must also be improved.
Obed Dm Senior, Ghana

It'a not a surprise in any way that the Caf league is not progressing because most African clubs do not have the necessary financial support, and they lack the basic infrastructure to keep the players in top shape. Furthermore the Caf administration and Mr Hayatou lack the vision to move the Caf league forward, and our league will continue to be like an inter-schools league.
Rotimi, Nigeria, living in USA

The fact of the matter is that club football has always been a massive draw in North Africa and South Africa, but it's been West Africa that has routinely failed to produce the infastructure it takes to build the sort of support the Champion League so badly needs.

For example when Esperance or Al Ahly won the tournament their first priority was to use the money gained from their victory to improve the club. Esperance signing the likes of Brasilian Reinaldo and Adaliton after their success in '94, and after Ahly's latest success the sigining of the Angolan duo Gilberto and Evelino. Sadly the same can't be said for clubs such as Hearts of Oak and Petro Athletico, who after great success in the competion made their first pirority to sell their best players Ishmael Addo and Flavio to clubs in Europe. Is it really a great mystery than that fans of these clubs don't support the club with any sort of pride and enthusiasm?
Nabil, Tunisia

Sure the Champions League is a good draw, and as a Ghanaian some of the best moments in our country's football history was to see Goldfields deal with Zamalek in 1997 enroute to losing the final, and Hearts of Oak getting the better of Al-Ahly and Esperance before going on to win the trophy in the year 2000.

Compared to the European Champions League however it's nothing. And unless I have a vested interest, I won't watch Jeanne D'Arc or Ahly when Bayern Munich for instance is playing. That's the home truth we can't deny. The quality of European club football is way superior and it tells in people's preferences. As a continent, we know much more about the Real's, Bayern's and Man United's than the African clubs. And who would prefer to watch a game on those disfraceful pitches aided by poor television coverage when you get another competition which is near perfect?
Mikel

The most important thing is security for travelling teams, and not to use the double standard policy in punishing teams from different countries.
Ahmed, Egypt

The Champions League failure is just one of many failues in African football. The Cup of Nations is popular because of foreign-based players who come in with stamina and skills, otherwise its lack of money would affect it as well. This is a proof that Caf has brainless leaders, who do not wake up with new ideas of looking for money to improve the sport. The problem is Caf. Unless we get visionary leadership, our tournaments will continue to be like village leagues, where teams compete for goats and cans of beer.
Ally Ahmed, Zanzibar

It's sad because the caliber of the game in Africa is infinitely poorer than the Uefa Champions League, the players are grossly underdeveloped, so why wouldn't I prefer watching the Champions League where players like Kanu, Diouf, and co are plying their trade? Even the South American clubs play better than Africa's. The level of the game has to be vastly improved. It should be a long-term plan, and should be executed by a new Caf administration because currently Mr. Hayatou isn't doing much for football in the continent. Our football has to move forward.
Quest, Nigeria