Edo Queens FC, Nigeria’s pride in women’s football, are taking on the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco with their eyes firmly set on the top prize of $600,000.
For this Nigerian powerhouse, the chance at a prize pot of this size could be a transformative boost for both the club and Nigerian women’s football at large.
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CAF, led by President Patrice Motsepe, increased the tournament’s prize fund to an impressive $2.35 million, a significant 52% hike aimed at uplifting women’s football across Africa.
In 2024, each of the eight participating teams is guaranteed at least $150,000 just for reaching this stage, a sum that could support crucial investments in training facilities, youth programs, and expanded scouting operations for Edo Queens.
Successive increases in the CAF Champions League’s prize structure demonstrate CAF’s commitment to making African women’s football competitive globally.
This substantial prize pool sets the stakes higher than ever. For Edo Queens, who fought their way to the tournament by clinching the WAFU B title with a 3-0 victory over Benin’s Ainonvi FC, this financial incentive is a motivating factor.
With players like Emem Essien and Suliat Abideen leading the squad, the team is strategically poised to compete for the top prize.
If Edo Queens secure the championship, they would bring back to Nigeria $600,000, nearly twice the amount offered to the runner-up, which is also a compelling $400,000.
As one of only three Nigerian teams to ever compete in this tournament, Edo Queens’ performance will have financial implications that extend beyond their club.
A win could trigger further investments in Nigerian women’s football, potentially drawing more talent and financial support to the sport.
It’s a high-stakes competition, and for Edo Queens, the rewards are not just in prestige but also in the real, transformative power of financial success.
