Photo Credit: PUNCH NG / CAF
CAF Hands Rivers United, 3SC $100,000 Lifeline After Continental Exit
Rivers United and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) will each pocket $100,000 from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) despite crashing out in the preliminary rounds of the 2026/27 inter-club competitions.

CAF confirmed the solidarity payment in August during the draw for the preliminary rounds, stating that every club eliminated at that stage would receive $100k as part of its strategy to support participating teams and boost engagement in its competitions.
“Clubs eliminated in the preliminary rounds will each receive a solidarity payment of $100,000, part of CAF’s continued investment in supporting participating teams,” CAF announced.
In the Champions League, Rivers United suffered a shock exit to San Pedro of Ivory Coast on Sunday. The 2025/26 NPFL runners-up were eliminated on the away-goals rule after a 3-3 aggregate draw. After a 1-1 first leg in Ivory Coast, they fell two goals behind in Uyo before staging a late comeback that wasn’t enough.

In the Confederation Cup, Shooting Stars also bowed out after losing their first-leg advantage to Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien. Leading 1-0 from Abeokuta, the Oluyole Warriors conceded goals from Iyed Belwafi in the 27th minute and Youssef Habchia in the 68th minute to lose 2-1 on aggregate.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s two remaining representatives, Enugu Rangers and El-Kanemi Warriors, progressed to the second preliminary round where they will face USM Alger and Raja Casablanca respectively.

Under the new rule, every club eliminated in the preliminary rounds is guaranteed $100k.
SOURCE: PUNCH Sports Extra