Rangers, Shooting Stars and two NPFL clubs set for ₦136m influx after new CAF rule

Four NPFL clubs will receive a significant financial boost ahead of the 2026/27 season after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) introduced a new solidarity payment for teams participating in its inter-club competitions, Soccernet.ng reports.

CAF confirmed yesterday that every club eliminated in the preliminary rounds of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will receive $100,000 as solidarity funding. At the current exchange rate, that amounts to roughly ₦136 million per club.

The new initiative means Nigeria's four representatives: Enugu Rangers, Rivers United, Shooting Stars (3SC), and El-Kanemi Warriors, are guaranteed a financial cushion even before kicking a ball in continental competition.

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CAF introduces financial safety net

The announcement came ahead of the preliminary round draws, scheduled for Thursday, August 6, at CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

The CAF Confederation Cup draw will take place first before the CAF Champions League fixtures are determined later the same day, scheduled for an hour after.

After $50,000 was initially issued in 2024 as compensation for the eliminated teams, that fee has now doubled. Before 2024, there was little to no pay for teams that exited the tournament in the qualification phase.

Now, CAF will award each eliminated club $100k as part of what it described as its continued investment in supporting participating clubs and strengthening African club football.

The move represents a major shift from previous seasons, when early elimination often meant clubs absorbed heavy travel and logistical expenses with very little financial return.

What it means for the NPFL representatives

Nigeria will have four clubs competing across the two CAF competitions this season. Enugu Rangers qualified for the CAF Champions League after winning the NPFL title, while Rivers United secured the country's second slot by finishing as runners-up.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, Shooting Stars earned qualification after finishing third in the NPFL, with El-Kanemi Warriors booking their place by lifting the President Federation Cup.

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While every club will naturally target a place in the group stage and beyond, the new solidarity payment guarantees a minimum financial return should their continental journey end at the preliminary stage.

For clubs operating on tight budgets, the funding will help in offsetting travel costs, player welfare expenses and operational commitments throughout the campaign.

Bigger prizes still on offer

Beyond the solidarity payment, CAF also reaffirmed the increased prize money available to clubs that progress into the latter stages of the competitions.

The winners of the CAF Champions League will receive $6 million, while the CAF Confederation Cup champions will pocket $4 million.

Those figures continue CAF's drive to make African club football more financially rewarding while encouraging greater competitiveness across the continent.

For Rangers, Rivers United, Shooting Stars and El-Kanemi Warriors, the immediate focus is Thursday's draw, but regardless of who they face, each club now has the reassurance of a guaranteed financial reward of ₦136 million.