CAF Champions League
Lifeline for continental competition clubs
As this season’s CAF inter-clubs competition kicks off this weekend, the clubs in the opening round have been offered financial lifeline by CAF. According to a press statement by CAF this Friday, the Clubs participating in the Preliminary Stages of both the Champions League and Confederation Cup will each get $50 000.
This is in line with CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe’s promise to improve club Competitions and provide more financial assistance to clubs.
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 offers financial assistance to Clubs in 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 CAF Champions League now take USD 4 million, compared to the 2.5million dollars they received in 2022.
Winners of the CAF Confederation Cup now take more 2 million dollars – compared to the 1.2 million they received in 2022.
Last year, Clubs benefited from the Financial injection from the African Football League that offered a total prize money of 8 million dollars.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Position | Prize Money
Winner | USD 4,000,000
Runner-up | USD 2,000,000
Semi-Finalists | USD 1,200,000
Quarterfinalists | USD 900,000
3rd of Group | USD 700,000
4th of Group | USD 700,000
CAF CONFEDERATION CUP
Position | Prize Money
Winner | USD 2,000,000
Runner-up | USD 1,000,000
Semi-finalists | USD 750,000
Quarterfinalists | USD 550,000
3rd of Group | USD 400,000
4th of Group | USD 400,000
The significant step by CAF addresses the long-standing concerns from Clubs on the travelling and logistical costs associated escalating 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.
Egypt’s Pyramids claimed a deserved 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa. This led to a 3-2 aggregate success. They celebrated their first African Champions League title. This triumph occurred following the second leg of this year’s final at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday.
The first leg in Pretoria finished 1-1. Fiston Mayele gave Pyramids the lead on 23 minutes. He profited from a Sundowns defensive error. Ahmed Samy doubled the advantage on 56 minutes. He scored with a header from a free-kick.
Sundowns pulled a goal back through Iqraam Rayners with 15 minutes remaining. One more goal would have given them victory in the tie on the away goals rule. However, Pyramids held firm despite heavy pressure from the visitors.
Pyramids are the fourth Egyptian side to lift the Champions League trophy after record 12-time winners Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily. Meanwhile, 2016 champions Sundowns head to this month’s Club World Cup in the United States on a low note.
-Reuters
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- 1. Pyramids aim to become the first new CAF Champions League winner since Sundowns (2016), the 13th in the modern era, and the 27th overall.
- 2. This is the 19th Champions League-era final featuring an Egyptian club. Previous teams (Al Ahly 10, Zamalek 1) have won 11 titles.
- 3. Including the pre-Champions League era, this is the 29th final for an Egyptian club, with 18 wins and 10 losses.
- 4. Pyramids have played only 1 of their last 9 matches at home but are unbeaten in their last 23 home games this season (W19 D4) and last 28 overall (W24 D4).
- 5. Pyramids scored in 22 of 23 home games this season; the only blank was a 0-0 draw vs Al Masry.
- 6.This season, they’ve won all 7 home matches, scoring 26 and conceding 6, with one clean sheet. In total, they’ve lost just 1 of 11 home matches in the competition.
- 7. Fiston Mayele leads with 8 goals in 12 matches (5 since group stage); Ibrahim Adel has 6 (also 5 post-group stage).
- 8. Ramadan Sobhi has 5 assists in 9 games (joint-most), plus 2 goals. He’s had major impact off the bench twice.
- 9. Askary Chibi has created 20 chances since the group stage — the most for Pyramids.
- 10. Pyramids have kept 3 clean sheets this season, all away, but remain dominant at home
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- 1. Sundowns are in their third CAF Champions League final (2001, 2016, 2024).
- 2. South African Record: First South African club to reach three finals, surpassing Orlando Pirates (2).
- 3. Sundowns hosted the first leg in all three finals. In 2001, they drew 1-1 at home and lost 2-0 away to Al Ahly.
- 4. Sundowns beat Zamalek 3-0 at home, lost 1-0 away, and won 3-1 on aggregate.
- 5. Sundowns have never scored in an away leg of a Champions League final, conceding five in total.
- 6. The current final marks the second time Sundowns led at home and failed to win (also in 2001).
- 7. A defeat would make Sundowns the first South African side to lose two finals.
- 8. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 10 matches vs Egyptian opposition (4wins and 6 draws).
- 9. Sundowns are unbeaten in their last 4 visits to Egypt (2 wins and 2 draws).
- 10. A win would make Sundowns the first team since Al Ahly (2012) to win the title after failing to win the home leg.
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