South African football clubs have put the country on the continental map after three made it to the semi-final of CAF inter-club competitions for the first time.
Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC all knocked out North African clubs at the quarter-final of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively to seal a place in the semi-final.
Sundowns eliminated Tunisian giants Esperance, Pirates went past MC Alger of Algeria while Stellenbosch stunned Egyptian giants Zamalek, all of them winning 1-0 on aggregate, for a place in the semis.
Big money rewards in store for PSL clubs
Sundowns will now take on holders Al Ahly while Pirates face Pyramids, both from Egypt, in the Champions League semi-final, while Stellenbosch will face Fadlu Davids’ Simba SC from Tanzania in the Confederation Cup semi-final.
As per OptaJabu, this is the first time that three South African clubs have made it to the semi-final of CAF inter-club competitions in the same season and it also comes with a hefty pay cheque.
According to the reward structure unveiled by Confederation of African Football (CAF) just before the competitions kicked off in August 2024, making it to the Champions League semi-final comes with the reward of $1.2 million (R23,297,160) for each of the four clubs while the semi-finalists in the Confederation Cup will each walk away with $750,000 (R14,560,725).
It means both Sundowns and Pirates will each pocket just over R23 million while Stellies will take home R14.5 million for reaching the last four of their respective competitions.
How much more can the SA clubs win from CAF?
Both Sundowns and Pirates had each earned from their previous rounds, being $700,000 (R13.6 million) for making it to the group stage and $900,000 (R17.5 million) for reaching the quarter-final while Stellies pocketed $400,000 (R7.8 million) for group stage qualification and $550,000 (R10.7 million) for making it to the last eight.
There is more up for grabs for the three sides if they can make it to the final where Champions League runners-up will take home $2 million (R38.8 million) while winners pocket $4 million (R77.6 million).
Second place in the Confederation Cup attracts $1 million (R19.4 million) while winning the trophy comes with a $2 million (R38.8 million) reward.
