The rich continue to get richer while the poor remain poor as CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe this week launched arguably the biggest competition in terms of financial rewards. The CAF Super league will feature 24 rich clubs from 16 countries. Already there is talk of the league further widening the gap between the rich and poor clubs. The fact is, most, if not all the clubs in the list of 24, are well resourced.
According to Dr Motsepe the total prize money of the CAF Africa Super League will be $100 million, with the winner receiving $11.5 million. He further said they will give each of the 24 clubs that will participate in the league $2.5 million which will be used to buy players and assist with transport logistics. The prize money also suggest that these 24 clubs will be strengthened so that they continue to dominate in their domestic leagues and in the continent.
Consequentially, clubs from countries whose leagues are still considered small or inferior will continue to play second fiddle to these selected power houses. For instance, just moments after the announcement of the $100 million exclusive club of the CAF Super league on Wednesday, Botswana’s last season Orange FA cup finalist Security Systems fell off the radar, announcing total withdrawal from the CAF Confederation Cup which is expected to start next month citing the financial challenges.
Whilst System’s decision borders on lack of foresight and preparedness, one cannot disregard the issue of finances and the isolation that small clubs are faced with when it comes to decisions like the CAF Super League.
Security Systems represents a plethora of other financially drained clubs who can only dream to be part of the exclusive clubs announced by Dr Motsepe. The underrepresented clubs will continue to be voiceless because there literally no one to speak on their behalf, hence Systems should await its fair share of a hefty fine from CAF, they will be punished for being poor.
On the other hand Gaborone United, crowned champions this past season, received a mere P1 million as prize money and they are expected to compete against teams that will deep their hands into a $100 million gold mine. Despite the good intentions and the apparent fighting spirit of the club financier, Nicolas Zakhem, odds are stuck against Gaborone United because the 2021/2022 BFL season campaign kicked started without a title sponsor as funds gleaned from broadcast sponsor, BTV and Absa bank were used to kick start the league. It remains to be seen how GU will cope against the money boys predominantly from North and West Africa.
The good news is that Gaborone United will remain Botswana’s flagbearer in Africa and were drawn against another DRC side, Association Sportive Vita in the preliminary round of the Total Energies CAF Champions League, making a return to the tournament after an 8 year hiatus.
The first leg is scheduled for the 9th-11th September weekend in Botswana while the 15 times Lina Foot league champions, AS Vita will have their home advantage in DRC a week later.
For their Security Systems were drawn against FC Saint Eloi Lupopo of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Alarm Boys as they known by their legion of fans became the second club to withdraw from this competition following Gaborone United and Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ decision to withdraw from the competition in 2015.
According to CAF rules and regulations, the withdrawal from the competitions by Security Systems attracts punitive punishment. The regulations stipulate that for withdrawing from the competition after the establishment of the fixtures, the team will be prohibited from participating in all CAF inter-clubs competitions for the next two editions.
It further indicates that in case of withdrawal of a team, its federation shall be responsible for the financial and other consequences to be determined by the Organising and Disciplinary Committee of CAF. Security Systems faces a $5000 (approximately P62 319) fine and a 2 year suspension from intercontinental football tournament participation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Committee after their sudden withdrawal from CAF Confederations Cup.
In an interview with this publication, Security Systems Communications Manager Zolani Kraai explained that they pulled out of the competition because it is too expensive because of travel and logistical arrangements.
He further said part of CAF requirements is that clubs are expected to submit audited financial statements; they should also have development teams; and they were also expected to have a lease agreement of the stadium of their choice, which they believe was going to be costly and will take all their resources.
“It is disappointing to announce that we unfortunately won’t be participating in the CAF Confederations Cup due to financial constraints we find ourselves in,” Secretary General Billy Molebatsi told WeekendSport. He also mentioned that they are aware of the consequences of their decision as a club but they had no option but to withdraw.
Former Holy Ghost head coach Oupa Kowa, one of the renowned coaches here in Botswana, observed that some teams choose not to enter CAF Competitions after qualifying because of financial constraints. He said teams spend a lot of money in CAF assignments yet they get little financial help.
Meanwhile one Security System player who requested to be anonymous told this publication that they only learnt through social media reports that the club will not take part in the competition.
“It’s painful after so much work that we put in and be treated this way. We did not believe what we saw in the media because we knew we were going to DRC. There was excitement after the draw, we did not know that the club has decided against competing in the CAF Confederations Cup. I don’t think the club respects us as players,” he said.