The Confederation of African Football (CAF) increased the prize money for all its competitions starting next year, after the continental soccer governing body signed a deal French with oil and gas multinational company, Total.
The deal signed in July, which sees firm become the official CAF’s sponsors will run for the next eight years and is worth $250 million.
“In view of the decision made by the CAF Executive Committee during its meeting held in Cairo, Egypt, on September 27th 2016, CAF hereby informs you of the update of the Revenues Grid detailing the allocation of revenues for the national teams and clubs taking part in the final phases of CAF competitions during the four-year cycle, read part of the letter issued by CAF.
The lucrative deal includes the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), CAF Champions League, Africa Women Cup of Nations, CAF Confederation Cup, African Nations Championship (CHAN), the Under 17, 20 and 23 championships and the CAF Super Cup which is contested by the Champions League and Confederations Cup winners.
The winners of next AFCON to be held in Gabon in January next year, will pocket $4 million, a 166 percent increase from the current 1.5 million prize-money.
CAF Champions League winners will get $2.5 million, up from the current $1.5 million and $1.25 million for the CAF Confederations Cup winner.
Prize money for the losing finalists, semi-finalists, quarter-finalists, teams placed third in their groups and all teams who finish bottom of their pools has also gone high, Goal.com reported.
The new deal will fuel the competition for CAF honors next year, with defending champions under increase pressure to defend their titles.
The Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire are the defending AFCON champions, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, popularly called ‘The Brazilians’ are the CAF Champions League winners.
Toute Pouissant Mazembe of Democratic Republic of Congo won the CAF Confederations Cup after defeating Mouloudia Bejaia of Algeria 5-2 on aggregate last week.
Sundowns and TP Mazembe will face off in February in what will be a fierce battle for the Super Cup title.
The sponsorship deal saw Total replace Orange, a French telecommunications firm as the official partners of all CAF-sanctioned competitions starting next year.
Orange signed an eight-year deal in July 2009.
The Total sponsorship however sparked controversy in July after several officials said they were not consulted. They added that they only heard of the deal in the media, Football is Africa reported.
