Cairo, Egypt – In line with CAF president’s promise to improve club Competitions and provide more financial assistance to Clubs, Clubs participating in the Preliminary Stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will receive US$ 50,000 each.
The First Preliminary Round begins with first leg matches scheduled between 16-18 August, followed by return legs from 23-25 August 2024.
The Second Preliminary Round will take place in September, with group stage places at stake.
This is the first time CAF will offer financial assistance to Clubs at this stage of the Competition.
Previously, Clubs needed to reach the Group Stages to be eligible to share the overall prize money.
In the last two years, the CAF Executive has significantly increased investment in African Club Football:
Winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League now take US$ 4,000,000 – compared to the US$ 2,500,000 they received in 2022.
Winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup now take more US$ 2,000,000 – compared to the US$ 1,200,000 they received in 2022.
Last year, Clubs benefited from the financial injection from the African Football League that offered a total prize money of US$ 8,000,000.
Prize money distribution in the champions league is as follows –
Position – Prize Money
Winner – US$ 4,000,000
Runner-up – US$ 2,000,000
Semi-Finalists – US$ 1,200,000
Quarterfinalists – US$ 900,000
3rd of Group – US$ 700,000
4th of Group – US$ 700,000.
For CAF Confederation Cup –
Position – Prize Money
Winner – US$ 2,000,000
Runner-up – US$ 1,000,000
Semi-finalists – US$ 750,000
Quarterfinalists – US$ 550,000
3rd of Group – US$ 400,000
4th of Group – US$ 400,000
The significant step by CAF addresses the long-standing concerns from Clubs on the travelling and logistical costs associated with playing in club continental football.
This financial boost for preliminary-round participants complements the existing prize money structure for later stages of both competitions.
This move is expected to incentivize more clubs to participate in continental competitions and raise the overall standard of club football in Africa.
