Ghanaian football clubs FC Samartex 1996 and Nsoatreman FC will each receive $50,000 from the Confederation of African Football (Caf) as they prepare for the preliminary rounds of the 2024/25 Caf Champions League and Caf Confederation Cup, respectively.
In an announcement made by Caf on August 16, the organization revealed that this financial support aligns with Caf President Dr. Patrice Motsepe’s commitment to “improve club competitions and provide more financial assistance to clubs.”
This initiative marks the first time that clubs participating in the preliminary stages of these competitions will receive such financial aid. Previously, only teams that reached the group stages were eligible for prize money.
FC Samartex, who emerged as the Ghana Premier League (GPL) champions for the 2023/24 season, are scheduled to face Cameroon’s Victory United in the Caf Champions League’s first preliminary round. Nsoatreman FC, winners of the MTN FA Cup, will battle Chad’s Sport-Elect in the Caf Confederation Cup.
The $50,000 financial boost is designed to alleviate the significant logistical and travel expenses that clubs face during continental tournaments.
Caf stated that the funds would provide a “shot in the arm for African club football,” addressing long-standing concerns about the costs associated with participation in these prestigious competitions.
With first-leg matches set between August 16-18 and return legs scheduled from August 23-25, 2024, this financial support will be crucial for FC Samartex and Nsoatreman FC as they aim to advance to the group stages of their respective tournaments.
Caf has significantly increased its investment in African club football over the past two years. The winners of the Caf Champions League will now receive $4,000,000, up from $2,500,000 in 2022, while the runners-up will earn $2,000,000. Semi-finalists will take home $1,200,000, and quarterfinalists will receive $900,000. Clubs finishing third and fourth in the group stage will each be awarded $700,000.
In the Caf Confederation Cup, the winner will receive $2,000,000, up from $1,200,000 in 2022, with the runners-up earning $1,000,000. Semi-finalists will receive $750,000, and quarterfinalists will take home $550,000. Teams finishing third and fourth in their groups will each be awarded $400,000.
This unprecedented financial assistance for preliminary round participants is expected to encourage more clubs to compete in continental tournaments, thereby enhancing the overall standard of African club football.