Bringing continental African club football into Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 takes more than standard in-game editing suites. While Konami’s classic title remains a favorite for its modding flexibility, out-of-the-box versions miss licensed CAF tournaments, authentic squads, and regional stadiums. The PES 2013 CAF Champions League patch fills this gap by introducing overhauled rosters, updated kits, and accurate competition structures.
If you want to install this modification without breaking your game files, you need to understand file directory paths, kit server configurations, and option file versions. This guide walks you through finding reliable community patches, preparing your base game installation, and troubleshooting common loading errors so you can start playing with continental heavyweights like Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Espérance de Tunis.
Preparing Your Base PES 2013 Installation
Before applying any major content overhaul, your base game needs to meet specific structural requirements. Most community-made patches depend on clean installations or specific data pack versions.
Updating to Data Pack 6.0 and Official Patches
Konami released several official data packs and executable updates during the active lifecycle of PES 2013. Most comprehensive mods—including major CAF and African club conversions—require Data Pack 6.0 and game version 1.04.
- Check your current version by launching the game and navigating to Information > Version from the main menu.
- If you run an older version, download official Konami patch files from community archives like ModdingWay or trusted community mirrors.
- Install official data packs sequentially before dropping any third-party files into your directories.
Cleaning Old Kitserver Files
If you've previously experimented with gameplay tweaks, stadium packs, or option files, residual files can cause team ID conflicts or crash your game during match loading.
- Open your main PES 2013 installation directory (typically located in
C:\Program Files (x86)\KONAMI\Pro Evolution Soccer 2013). - Delete or back up existing
kitserver13folders andimgsub-directories if you are starting fresh. - Ensure your
pes2013.exefile is unedited and matches the version required by your chosen patch release.
Installing the CAF Champions League Patch Files
Once your base game is clean and updated, you can proceed with the mod installation. Most community releases use a structured kitserver setup combined with a separate KONAMI save folder for option files.
Step-by-Step Installation Process
- Extract the archive: Unpack the downloaded patch archive using 7-Zip or WinRAR to a temporary folder on your desktop.
- Move Kitserver files: Copy the
kitserver13folder directly into your main PES 2013 root installation directory wherepes2013.exeresides. - Copy the Option File: Locate the
EDIT.binfile inside the patch download. Move this file to your documents folder:Documents\KONAMI\Pro Evolution Soccer 2013\save\. Overwrite existing files only after backing up your original save data. - Attach the KTX/Kitserver: Run
manager.exeinside yourkitserver13folder and click Attach to link the module to your game executable.
Navigating New Teams and Tournaments
After launching the game, you'll notice restructured competition menus and updated team lists. Because PES 2013 doesn't have an official CAF license built into its core engine, modders typically replace generic leagues or substitute teams in the other European/African slots.
- Check the League Structure: Most patches remap African teams into the Copa Libertadores structure or custom exhibition blocks. Look for dedicated CAF tournament modes within the main menu additions.
- Squad Verification: Verify that player names and faces load correctly. If player names appear scrambled or generic, your
EDIT.binfile isn't matching your kitserver version. Ensure both files came from the exact same download release.
Troubleshooting Common Installation Errors
Modding a game from 2013 on modern operating systems like Windows 10 or Windows 11 often introduces compatibility hiccups. Here is how to fix the most frequent issues.
Infinite Loading Screens on Match Start
This usually happens when stadium server files or turf mods conflict with graphic card settings.
- Run both
pes2013.exeandmanager.exeas Administrator. - Disable vertical sync (V-Sync) in your graphics card control panel if frame rates drop during stadium entry cutscenes.
- Check your
kitserver13\config.txtfile to ensure image paths point to correct directories.
Missing Kits or Generic Emblems
If teams load with default Konami jerseys instead of authentic African club kits, the kitserver isn't communicating with the game process.
- Open
manager.exeand confirm that the status reads Attached. - Re-run the attachment process after closing any background antivirus software that might block DLL injections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the original game disc to run this patch?
No, digital copies and portable installations work just as well, provided the underlying executable version is 1.04 with Data Pack 6.0 installed.
Can I play online matches with the CAF patch enabled?
Online servers for PES 2013 were officially shut down years ago by Konami. You can only play local exhibition matches, master league campaigns, and offline tournaments.
Will this patch overwrite my existing Master League save?
Yes. Installing a new EDIT.bin option file replaces saved tournament data, meaning active Master Leagues using default rosters will break or display corrupted player data. Finish ongoing campaigns before installing.
Why are some player faces missing?
While top-tier African clubs feature custom face builds and accurate physical attributes, smaller squads rely on generic in-game preset faces due to modding resource limits.
