Mamelodi Sundowns Poised For CAF Champions League Rich Pickings

January 13, 2020

CAF Champions League winners will collect $2.5m (R35.8 million) with losing finalists set to collect $1.25 (R17.9 million) as CAF adjusted its figures to match competition with other intercontinental club competitions.

South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns are now guaranteed and set to collect at least $650 000 (R9.3 million) after securing qualification for the quarter finals with 2 games to go.

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The $2.5 million winners purse is a major increase from what Sundowns collected ($1.5 million) when they went all the way to hoist the coveted trophy in 2016 to match the record set by Orlando Pirates as the only 2 clubs from Mzansi to have lifted Africa’s premier club competition.

The African Champions League and Confederations Cup places huge financial demands on the purses and budgets of teams on the continent with major expenses being travel costs and accomodation fees for huge delegations.

At the end of the day, participation comes down mostly to pride and prestige for the club heritage and tradition amongst fans and followers rather than monetary returns.

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Clubs like Sundowns are better placed with least financial headaches as the Pretoria-based outfit is financially backed by one of the richest man on the continent, mining magnate Patrice Motsepe.

Travel costs are always a huge challenge for African teams with flights from one country to another often involving lengthy stop-overs in the Middle East and Europe to trim expenses.

In some African countries, teams rely on government financial assistance to play in CAF and FIFA competitions.

Esperance of Tunisia became the first recepients of the $2.5 million prize money from the Confederation of African Football for winning the 2019 CAF Champions League.

The CAF Champions League title championship comes with the special honour of representing the continent at the prestigious FIFA Club World, which means an exciting opportunity to lock horns with the UEFA Champions League holders.