Cash has been the glue that has kept Motsepe's reign as football's top man going. Actually, the cash approach has been the cornerstone of the billionaire's reign as member associations, national teams and clubs start to reap the benefits of having the South African at the helm. This week, clubs participating in the CAF competitions, the Champions League and Confederation Cup woke up to the news that the grant from the mother body will be increased from $50,000 (approx. P700,000) to $100,000 (approx. P1.4 million). It is the latest in a series of cash-led reforms introduced by the mining magnate. Africa was perennially in the throes of financial ruin, whilst corruption became endemic under the lengthy leadership of Cameroonian strongman, the late Issa Hayatou. The Hayatou era was littered with concerns of maladministration and CAF appeared an irredeemable organisation, until Motsepe walked through the corridors of the body's CAF headquarters in Cairo. Since 2021, Motsepe has engineered a cash-centred revolution, which resonates with the needs of the game in Africa. Under his watch Motsepe has seen increased revenues for the continental body, record $80million profit for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and improved prize money for CAF's various competitions. Ivory Coast, winners of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, received $7 million cash prize money, an increase of 40% marking the highest pay-out for the champions. Sponsors for the tournament increased by 60% from the 2021 edition to 17 in 2023. The prize for winning the African Nations Championships (CHAN) will increase by 75% with the winners taking home $3.5 million, whilst the overall prize money for all teams has increased by 32%.
The next CHAN tournament takes place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in 2026. Last year, each of the women's Champions League participants received $150,000 a first for CAF. Annual subvention to member associations has doubled from $200,000 to $400,000, whilst presidents of association now receive an allowance of $50,000 up from $20,000. Under Motsepe, the African Super League was created, with the winners pocketing $4 million. The prize money for the winners of the Super Cup was more than doubled from $325,000 to $750,000, a 130% increase. Winners of this year's Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will get $1 million after CAF doubled the prize money, and increased the overall prize pool by 45% to $3.47 million.
