The Confederation of African Football has announced a significant increase in prize money for winners of its top club competitions beginning this season.
According to CAF, the champions of the CAF Champions League will now receive $6 million, up from $4 million awarded last season. Winners of the CAF Confederation Cup, the continent’s second-tier competition, will earn $4 million, representing a 50 percent rise in prize money.
However, the financial rewards for runners-up remain unchanged. Teams finishing second in the Champions League will continue to receive $2 million, while defeated finalists in the Confederation Cup will collect $1 million.
The increase is expected to be welcomed by clubs across Africa, many of which have previously argued that participation in continental tournaments often comes with heavy financial strain. Travel costs, in particular, have been a major challenge, as direct flights between several African countries are limited and expensive.
In some cases, clubs, especially those from southern Africa, have had to travel through Europe or the Middle East to reach destinations in other parts of the continent for CAF matches.
ENigeria Newspaper also gathered that the prize adjustments come during the leadership of Patrice Motsepe, who has overseen several financial improvements in the competitions since becoming CAF president in 2021 and is currently serving his second four-year term.
Meanwhile, action in both tournaments resumes this weekend with the first legs of the quarter-finals. The schedule begins in Pretoria, where Mamelodi Sundowns will host Stade Malien in a Champions League clash on Friday.
