African Football League announces prize money of Sh10 billion for winner

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the prize money for the inaugural African Football League (AFL), with the winner set to receive a staggering $4 million (Sh10 billion), the highest reward in the continent's club competitions.

The AFL, which will kick off on Friday, October 20, 2023, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, will feature the eight highest-ranked and most successful football clubs on the African continent.

The other participating clubs include Simba SC (Tanzania), Al Ahly SC (Egypt), Enyimba FC (Nigeria), Wydad AC (Morocco), Mamelodi Sundowns FC (South Africa), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), and Atlético Petróleos de Luanda (Angola).

The prize money for the AFL is as follows: Winner: $4 million, Runner-up: $3 million,Semi-finalists: $1.7 million, and quarter-finalists: $1 million each.

The prize money is appealing and competitive, especially considering that the winning club will only need to play six matches to lift the trophy.

The AFL is a CAF competition established in partnership with FIFA, and one of the main objectives for forming the league is to ensure that the quality of African club football is globally competitive and that African football clubs are commercially viable.

The AFL will also contribute to the development and growth of youth football talent on the African continent.

CAF's intention is that all 54 CAF member associations, including those that do not have clubs participating in the AFL, should benefit and receive financial contributions from the commercial viability and success of the league.

The launch of the AFL is a landmark moment for African football, and it is sure to generate excitement and anticipation across the continent. The prize money on offer is a major incentive for the participating clubs, and it is sure to raise the stakes of the competition.

The AFL is also expected to have a positive impact on the development of African football as a whole. The league will provide a platform for the best players on the continent to showcase their talents, and it will also help to raise the standards of coaching and refereeing.

The inaugural AFL season is set to be a thrilling and historic one. With the eight best clubs in Africa competing for a $4 million prize pool, the stakes are high and the excitement is palpable.