Motsepe Injects Cash To Sundowns And Pirates…
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has delivered another promise to enhance club competitions and provide increased financial support to clubs participating in the preliminary stages of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will each receive USD 50,000.
The First Preliminary Round commences with first-leg matches scheduled between August 16-18, followed by return legs from August 23-25, 2024. The Second Preliminary Round will take place in September, with group stage qualification at stake.
This marks the first time CAF has offered financial assistance to clubs at this competition stage. Previously, clubs had to reach the group stages to be eligible for prize money.
Over the past two years, the CAF Executive Committee has significantly increased investment in African club football:
- The TotalEnergies CAF Champions League winner now receives USD 4,000,000, up from USD 2,500,000 in 2022.
- The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup winner now receives USD 2,000,000, up from USD 1,200,000 in 2022.
- Last year, clubs benefited from a USD 8,000,000 financial injection from the African Football League.
TotalEnergies CAF Champions League
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| Winner | USD 4,000,000 |
| Runner-up | USD 2,000,000 |
| Semi-finalists | USD 1,200,000 |
| Quarterfinalists | USD 900,000 |
| 3rd in Group | USD 700,000 |
| 4th in Group | USD 700,000 |
TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| Winner | USD 2,000,000 |
| Runner-up | USD 1,000,000 |
| Semi-finalists | USD 750,000 |
| Quarterfinalists | USD 550,000 |
| 3rd in Group | USD 400,000 |
| 4th in Group | USD 400,000 |
CAF’s substantial step addresses long-standing club concerns about the escalating costs of participating in continental club football, including travel and logistics. This financial boost for preliminary round participants complements the existing prize money structure for later competition stages. The move is anticipated to encourage more clubs to participate in continental competitions and elevate the overall standard of African club football.
