In a move set to transform the financial landscape of African club football, CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe has announced a substantial USD 4 million total increase in prize money for the continent’s two premier club competitions.
Starting with the 2025/26 season, the winners of both the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will see their earnings reach record-breaking heights.
The latest adjustment reflects a strategic push to make African club football more competitive and commercially viable.
Since Dr. Motsepe took the helm in 2021, CAF has aggressively overhauled its financial distribution model. Total payments to clubs—including prize money and solidarity grants—have surged from USD 18.8 million in 2021 to over USD 42 million per season today, marking a 114% overall increase.
“Our goal has always been to provide greater financial assistance to clubs and improve the quality of African football,” Dr. Motsepe stated, echoing his 2024 pledge to support teams at every level of the pyramid.
While prize money for Champions League has skyrocketed 140%, up from USD 2.5 million in 2021 the Confederation Cup’s earnings have jumped a staggering 220%, up from USD 1.25 million.
The “solidarity” aspect of these reforms has proven equally impactful. To ensure that smaller clubs aren’t left behind, CAF doubled the financial support for teams eliminated in the preliminary stages.
Initially set at USD 50,000 in 2024, this payment was increased to USD 100,000 in 2025.
This safety net has encouraged unprecedented participation, with a record-breaking 130 clubs from across the continent entering the 2025/26 season.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
