Four Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) clubs are set to receive a major financial boost ahead of the 2026/27 continental campaign following a new funding initiative introduced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Under the revised policy, every club eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup will receive a solidarity payment of $100,000, equivalent to approximately ₦136 million at the current exchange rate.
The initiative is aimed at easing the financial burden on participating clubs and encouraging greater competitiveness in African club football.
The development means that Nigeria’s four representatives, Rangers International, Rivers United, Shooting Stars Sports Club and El-Kanemi Warriors, are guaranteed a financial cushion regardless of whether they progress beyond the preliminary stage.
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CAF announced the measure ahead of the preliminary round draws scheduled to take place on August 6 at its headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. The Confederation Cup draw will be held first, followed by the Champions League draw later the same day.
The governing body had previously introduced a $50,000 compensation package for clubs eliminated in the qualifiers in 2024.
The latest decision doubles that amount, marking a significant increase in financial support for clubs competing in CAF inter-club competitions.
For Nigerian clubs, the guaranteed funding is expected to offset travel, accommodation, logistics and player welfare expenses associated with continental football, particularly for teams operating on modest budgets.
While the four NPFL sides will be targeting qualification for the lucrative group stages, where significantly higher prize money is available, the solidarity payment provides an important safety net should they exit early.
CAF also reaffirmed that the winners of the Champions League and Confederation Cup will earn $6 million and $4 million, respectively, as part of its continued investment in African club football.
