Nigeria’s four representatives in this season’s CAF inter-club competitions are guaranteed a significant financial boost after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) introduced an enhanced solidarity payment for clubs eliminated in the preliminary rounds.
Enugu Rangers, Rivers United, Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors will each be assured of $100,000 (approximately ₦136 million) under CAF’s revised financial support scheme, regardless of whether they progress beyond the qualifying rounds.
The announcement comes ahead of the preliminary round draws for the 2026/27 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, scheduled to take place in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday.
The new policy represents a major increase from the $50,000 solidarity payment introduced in 2024. Before then, clubs eliminated during the qualifying rounds often left continental competitions with little or no financial compensation despite incurring significant travel and operational costs.
By doubling the payment to $100,000, CAF hopes to reduce the financial burden on participating clubs while strengthening the competitiveness of African club football.
The governing body described the initiative as part of its continued investment in supporting clubs across the continent.
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Rangers and Rivers United will fly Nigeria’s flag in the CAF Champions League after finishing as league champions and runners-up respectively.
Shooting Stars qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup after securing third place in the Nigeria Premier Football League, while President Federation Cup winners El-Kanemi Warriors claimed the country’s second ticket to the competition.
Although all four clubs will target places in the lucrative group stages, the revised CAF policy ensures they will not leave empty handed even if their continental campaigns end in the preliminary rounds.
For clubs operating within tight financial constraints, the guaranteed funds could help cover travel, logistics, player welfare and other operational expenses associated with competing across Africa.
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While the solidarity payment provides an important financial cushion, CAF’s biggest prizes remain reserved for clubs that progress deep into the tournaments.
The winners of the CAF Champions League will receive $6 million, while the CAF Confederation Cup champions will earn $4 million, reflecting CAF’s continued efforts to increase the commercial value and financial appeal of its competitions.
Rangers, Rivers United, Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors, attention now turns to Thursday’s draws in Cairo. But whatever opponents emerge, each Nigerian club already has the assurance of a guaranteed financial return before the continental campaign begins.
