The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has told Edo Queens and the other eight teams that are participating in the African Women’s Champions League, which kicks off this weekend, that they stand to get a princely sum of $600, 000 if they win the competition.
The CAF Women’s Champions League is a competition started by current CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, in 2021 and this year’s prize money has increased by 52 per cent to $2, 350, 000.
The teams vying for the CAF’s premier women’s club title alongside Edo Queens are defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, University of Western Cape, also of South Africa, ASFAR of Morocco, FC Masar of Egypt, Aigles de la Medina of Senegal, TP Mazembe of DR Congo and CBE of Ethiopia.
In the breakdown of the prize money made available by CAF, each of the eight clubs in the competition will receive at least $150 000 in prize money, which is the money the last placed teams in each of the two groups will get.
The club, which finishes in third place in each group will get $200,000, while each semifinalist is guaranteed $300,000.
The third-placed and second placed teams will get $350,000 and $400,000 respectively, while the winner will get $600, 000.
In a statement, yesterday, CAF said that it is committed to developing and growing women’s football in Africa, adding that President Motsepe’s objective “is to invest in youth academies for boys and girls and to continue increasing the prize monies of all CAF competitions to make them globally competitive and attractive.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) board has thrown its weight behind Edo Queens, as they prepare to compete for glory in Morocco, beginning on Saturday.
In a statement yesterday, NWFL Chairperson Nkechi Obi expressed her confidence in the team’s ability to represent Nigeria with excellence, stating, “Edo Queens’ journey to this prestigious stage is a testament to their hard work and resilience. As they take on Africa’s best clubs, we are offering our unwavering support and belief in their potential to achieve historic success.
“As you face Africa’s elite, remember you carry the dreams of Nigerian women’s football with you,” the chairperson stated. “We are proud to stand behind you and are confident you will make Nigeria shine.”
With Rivers Angels (2021) and Bayelsa Queens (2022) as previous Nigerian representatives—Edo Queens now set their sights on history, aiming to become the first Nigerian side to reach the final and capture the coveted title on their first attempt.
The Benin Arsenals will begin their maiden campaign in Group B against fellow debutantes Central Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) on November 10, 2024, and square up against first-timers, FC Masar of Egypt three days later before tackling title holders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa on November 16.
