Clubs participating in the CAF Inter-club have received a R900,000 cash injection for the preliminary round.
The preliminary round of the CAF Inter-club competitions is scheduled for this weekend. It will be followed by return legs from 23-25 August. The second preliminary round will take place in September for a place in the group stages.
South Africa has four teams, with Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates in the Champions League, while Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch will participate in the Confederation Cup. CAF announced on Friday that each team will be provided with financial assistance.
SA TEAMS TO RECEIVE CASH INJECTION FOR THE INTER-CLUB PRELIMINARY ROUND
It is the first time CAF has offered financial assistance to clubs during the preliminary stages of the Inter-club competitions. In previous years, clubs needed to reach the group stages to be eligible to share the overall prize money.
This season, the winners of the Champions League now take R71 000 000 [USD 4 000 000]. This is compared to the USD 2,5 000 000 the winners received in 2022. Meanwhile, winners of the Confederation Cup now take home R35 million [USD 2 000 000] compared to the USD 1,2 000 000 they received in 2022.
CAF ADDRESSES CONCERNS BY THE CLUBS OVER THE COSTS OF TRAVELING LOGISTICS
“The significant step by CAF addresses the long-standing concerns from clubs on the travelling and logistical costs associated with escalating playing in club continental football,” said CAF.
“This financial boost for preliminary round participants complements the existing prize money structure for later stages of both competitions.
“This move is expected to incentivise more clubs to participate in continental competitions and raise the overall standard of club football in Africa,” the continental football mother body said on Friday.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates will be in action when they take on CNaPS Sport from Madagascar on Sunday. Stellenbosch will take on Nsingizini Hotspurs from eSwatini at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. Both Sekhukhune and Sundowns will not be in action this weekend.
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