Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has underlined the need to properly incentivise players and clubs across the continent, revealing that prize money for the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup has been increased as part of broader reforms to strengthen African football.
Motsepe made the remarks while reflecting on CAF’s financial turnaround and its renewed focus on rewarding performance and professionalism in continental competitions. According to him, improved incentives are central to raising standards and ensuring that African clubs can compete more effectively, both locally and globally.
“It is very important that players are properly incentivised,” Motsepe said. “That is why we have increased the money for the Champions League and the Confederation Cup. Players and clubs must feel that their hard work and success are being recognised.”
The CAF president also shed light on the financial challenges he met upon assuming office, describing the scale of the organisation’s debt at the time. Motsepe disclosed that CAF was burdened with liabilities running into hundreds of millions of dollars, a situation he said threatened the credibility and stability of African football’s governing body.
“When I arrived at CAF, the organisation owed more than 150 million dollars,” he said. “I am pleased to say that those debts have since been settled. CAF today is financially stable and better positioned to serve African football.”
Motsepe’s comments come amid ongoing reforms at CAF aimed at improving governance, restoring confidence among stakeholders and attracting greater commercial investment. Since his election, CAF has announced increases in prize money for its flagship club competitions, a move widely welcomed by clubs and players who have long complained about inadequate financial rewards despite the demands of continental football.
By clearing CAF’s inherited debts and boosting competition earnings, Motsepe said the organisation is laying a stronger foundation for sustainable growth. He stressed that financial discipline and fairness would remain central to his administration’s agenda, as CAF seeks to build a more competitive and commercially viable football ecosystem across Africa.
The increased prize money and improved financial health of CAF are expected to have a ripple effect, helping clubs invest more in player welfare, infrastructure and youth development, while also enhancing the overall appeal of African club competitions.
