The president of Tanzanian giants Yanga SC, Engineer Hersi Ally Said, has revealed the shocking cost associated with their trip to South Africa to play Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League.
Young Africans are currently in Pretoria to face Sundowns in a second-leg, quarterfinal CAF Champions League encounter. The two teams played out a goalless draw in the first leg at the Benjamin Mkapa last Saturday.
Yanga arrived in South Africa on Tuesday morning ahead of the much-anticipated match at Loftus Stadium on Friday night.
Hersi, who also serves as the chairman of the newly formed African Clubs Association [ACA], was addressing the South African Football Journalists Association [SAFJA] on the challenges faced by clubs on the continent.
Under the leadership of maverick administrator Hersi, the ACA is expected to collaborate closely with CAF to tackle some of the challenges faced by clubs.
HOW MUCH DID IT COST YANGA TO TRAVEL TO SOUTH AFRICA TO FACE MAMELODI SUNDOWNS?
“It’s very expensive to run a football club. I can tell you that our trip to South Africa to play Mamelodi Sundowns costs US$80000 [R1.5 million],” Hersi said.
“A return ticket [per person] costs about US$600 [R11000], and I’m coming here with 50 people. How much is that? It’s US$30000 [R560 000]. 50 people times $150 [R2800]per day times four days. How much is that? It’s another US$30000.
“You haven’t captured anything outside flight and hotel costs. You need to commute while around here. Some of the players and technical staff need to be paid allowances when they travel.”
“We need money to run these football clubs. If these tournaments are coming in, we’re more than happy if they can be able to elevate the packages. I’m happy with Patrice Motsepe, the president of CAF.”
This year’s Champions League winners will take home $4 million [R74.5 million], while runners-up will earn $2 million [R37.3 million]. Semi-finalists walk away with $1.2 million [R22.4 million].
The ACA chairman’s statement suggests that even reaching the later stages of CAF competitions might not offset the costs incurred by some clubs. He also commended CAF president Patrice Motsepe’s decision to provide financial incentives for teams participating in the early rounds of CAF tournaments.
“You play preliminary round four games – two at home and two away. At home, you have a lot of costs to incur to bring the referees from their home countries. Flight tickets and accommodation, and other operational costs. When you’re eliminated, you’re not going to the group stages, you’re getting zero. President Motsepe said he wants to give money to the teams eliminated.”
This current situation means only financially powerful clubs can consistently compete at the highest level of African club football. Hersi believes the ACA will be “the voice of the clubs” regarding some of these issues.
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