CAFCL/CAFCC: CAF guarantees Shooting Stars, Rangers, two others $100,000 solidarity payment

Four Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs are guaranteed to receive $100,000 each ahead of the 2026/27 season after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) introduced an enhanced solidarity payment for clubs competing in its inter-club competitions.

CAF announced that every club eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will receive $100,000 (about N136 million), doubling the $50,000 payment introduced in 2024.

The CAF solidarity payment guarantees financial support for Nigeria’s four continental representatives, Enugu Rangers, Rivers United, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) and El-Kanemi Warriors, regardless of whether they progress beyond the qualifying rounds.

The announcement came ahead of the preliminary-round draws, which will be held on Thursday at CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. The CAF Confederation Cup draw will take place first, followed an hour later by the CAF Champions League draw.

Solidarity payment doubled

CAF first introduced a $50,000 compensation package for clubs eliminated in the preliminary rounds in 2024. Before then, teams knocked out during qualification received little or no financial reward despite incurring significant travel and organisational costs.

Under the revised scheme, every club eliminated before the group stage will receive $100,000 as part of CAF’s efforts to support participating teams and strengthen African club football.

The initiative is expected to ease the financial burden on clubs, many of which operate on limited budgets while meeting the demands of continental competition.

Nigeria’s representatives

Enugu Rangers qualified for the CAF Champions League after winning the NPFL title, while Rivers United secured Nigeria’s second slot by finishing runners-up.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, Shooting Stars qualified after placing third in the NPFL, while El-Kanemi Warriors earned their place by winning the President Federation Cup.

Although all four clubs will be targeting places in the group stage, the solidarity payment guarantees a minimum financial return even if their campaigns end in the preliminary rounds.

The funding is expected to help clubs cover travel, player welfare and other operational expenses associated with continental football.

Prize money remains unchanged

CAF also reaffirmed the prize money available to clubs that progress to the latter stages of its competitions.

The winners of the CAF Champions League will receive $6 million, while the CAF Confederation Cup champions will earn $4 million.

The governing body said the increased financial incentives are part of its wider efforts to make African club football more sustainable and competitive.