Starting the 2025/2026 season, clubs eliminated from the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup will receive USD$100,000 as part of CAF’s official support, up from USD$50,000 that was previously available to clubs.
Oliver Ochieng
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) continues to receive plaudits from football stakeholders for increasing financial support to clubs, eliminated from the football governing bodies’ club competitions in the preliminary round.
Starting the 2025/2026 season, clubs eliminated from the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederations Cup will receive USD$100,000 as part of CAF’s official support, up from USD$50,000 that was previously available to clubs.
According to Hersi Said, President of Tanzania football giants Yanga Sports Club, the new increase represents “more than just financial support,” but it is a step toward fairness, sustainability and growth.
“Many clubs across Africa struggle to keep up with the financial demands of travel, training, and logistics required at this level,” said Hersi, who doubles up as chairman of the African Clubs Association (ACA).
“By recognizing their participation and contribution, even at the early stages, we send a strong message that every effort counts and every club matters,” he added, in a LinkedIn post.
The Yanga SC boss said there is still much work to be done to support clubs fully, and build the kind of football structures Africa dreams of.
“Moments like this give us the motivation to keep pushing forward.”
While making the announcement last week, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe said the increase is part of their broader vision to elevate African football.
“These financial resources will contribute enormously to the development and global competitiveness of African football and investment in youth football development and infrastructure,” he noted.
130 clubs from across the continent participating in CAF competitions are set to benefit from the CAF windfall starting next season, within Kenyan sides Police FC and Nairobi United for instance, expected to pocket at least Sh12.9 million, up from last season’s Sh6.4 million.
Police FC will represent Kenya in the CAF Champions League tournament after winning the local league title, while Nairobi United will hoist the East African nation’s flag in the second tier CAF Confederations competition, after winning the local Football Association cup.
Tanzanian clubs will pocket up to Tsh260 million, with the money expected to shoulder operational and logistical burdens for teams across Africa.
