Huge CAF prize money increase for Simba, Yanga

CAF confirmed that President Patrice Motsepe has stuck to his promise of a “new prize money structure”, which resulted in a 40% percent increase.

“The announcement saw prize monies for the two competitions increase by 40% - in line with Dr Motsepe’s commitment to making African football competitions globally competitive and self-sustaining,” CAF explained.

"In the CAF Champions League, the winner will receive $4 million, an increase from the previous prize of $2.5 million. In the CAF Confederation Cup, the prize money for the winner has increased from $1.25 million to $2 million," the statement added.

As a consequence, Tanzania’s Young Africans, who play USM Algiers in the final of the CAF Confederations Cup, have secured $1 million (Tsh2.3 billion) already but that amount could double to $2 million (Tsh 4.6million) should they manage to lift the trophy.

Young Africans made it to the final for the first time in their history after seeing off South Africa’s Marumo Gallants in the semi-final on a 4-1 aggregate score.

On the other hand, USM Alger punched their continental final ticket after beating ASEC Mimosas from Ivory Coast.

Nasreddine Nabi’s charges finished on top of the Group D with 13 points after they secured a 0-1 away win against TP Mazembe of DR Congo while Rivers United finished runners-up behind ASEC Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire to reach the last eight of the tournament.

They qualified for the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup, beating Nigeria’s Rivers United on 2-0 aggregate.

On Saturday they will host USM Alger in the CAF Confederation Cup final first leg at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium before travelling to Algeria for the return leg on June 3 as they aim to lift their maiden continental title.

Simba, meanwhile, have secured $900,000 (Tsh2.1 billion) for their run into the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.

They advanced to the quarter-finals for the third time in a row after finishing second in Group C behind Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca.

A 7-0 mauling of Guinea's Horoya and a double over Uganda’s Vipers ensured Simba finished with nine points to confirm a place in the last eight with one game to spare, before being knocked by defending champions Wydad on a penalty shootout in Casablanca.

The runners-up in the CAF Champions League category are set to get $2 million, while the semi-finalists are assured of getting $1.2 million.