The four Nigerian club sides participating in CAF continental competitions this year—Enugu Rangers, Remo Stars, Enyimba, and Elkanemi Warriors—will each earn at least $50,000 (~N80m), Bold Sports reports.
CAF, in a statement published on its website on Friday, announced that the $50,000 will be provided to all clubs taking part in the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.
Rangers, winners of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), and second-placed Remo Stars will compete in the CAF Champions League, while third-placed Enyimba and FA Cup winners Elkanemi Warriors will participate in the CAF Confederation Cup.
The statement noted that this payment to clubs in the preliminary rounds of both competitions is the first of its kind in history and “is expected to incentivize more clubs to participate in continental competitions and raise the overall standard of club football in Africa.”
Previously, clubs had to reach the group stage of CAF continental competitions, often referred to as the “money-spinning stage,” to receive significant financial rewards.
The funds, the statement added, aim to address “long-standing concerns from clubs regarding the escalating travel and logistical costs associated with playing in continental club football.”
According to CAF, this development fulfills a promise made by CAF President Patrice Motsepe to improve club competitions and provide more financial assistance to clubs.
CAF also highlighted other financial boosts to continental competitions over the past two years, including:
- Winners of the CAF Champions League now receive $4,000,000, up from $2,500,000 in 2022.
- Winners of the CAF Confederation Cup now receive $2,000,000, compared to $1,200,000 in 2022.
- Last year, clubs benefited from the financial injection from the African Football League, which offered a total prize money of $8,000,000.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| Winner | $4m |
| Runner-up | $2m |
| Semi-finalists | $1.2m |
| Quarterfinalists | $900,000 |
| 3rd in Group | $700,000 |
| 4th in Group | $700,000 |
CAF CONFEDERATION CUP
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| Winner | $2m |
| Runner-up | $1m |
| Semi-finalists | $750,000 |
| Quarterfinalists | $550,000 |
| 3rd in Group | $400,000 |
| 4th in Group | $400,000 |
