By Daniel Edu

Teams set to compete in the inaugural edition of the African Football League (AFL) are in for a substantial financial boost, with each participating club expected to earn $900,000. This marks a significant increase from the initially announced appearance fee of $500,000 when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) introduced the AFL in partnership with FIFA.

Notably, eight teams have been selected to take part in the inaugural season of the African Football League, including Enyimba of Aba, the reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League. Other participating teams hail from South Africa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Egypt (Al Ahly), Morocco (Wydad Casablanca), Tunisia (Esperance), Congo (TP Mazembe), Tanzania (Simba SC), and Angola (Petro Atletico).

As the competition progresses, the stakes rise significantly. The second runner-up will be awarded a substantial $2.8 million, while the winner will claim a remarkable $4 million in prize money. Semifinalists will each receive $1.7 million.

This enhanced financial incentive is expected to heighten the motivation of participating clubs and foster increased competition and enthusiasm for the AFL’s debut season.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the African Football League, an annual club football event, is set to kick off in late October and conclude in early November 2023.