Kenyan Premier League debutants Nairobi United stand to earn at least $400,000 (Sh51.66 million) after reaching the group stages of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.
This amount is based on the prize money model set by CAF to award teams that participate in their second-tier club competition.
On Sunday, Nairobi United beat Tunisian side Etoile Sportive du Sahel 7-6 on post-match penalties. The Tunisians beat Nai Bois 2-0 in Tunis to erase the Kenyan side’s 2-0 first-leg victory in Nairobi. The teams tied 2-2 on aggregate, prompting the penalty shootout.
Teams that finish third or fourth in their group receive $400,000 from CAF. Interestingly, this amount slightly exceeds the total sum that the Football Kenya Federation will distribute to the 18 top-flight clubs this season from the league's title sponsorship by gambling firm SportPesa.
SportPesa's sponsorship of the league is worth Sh85 million for this season, and the amount will increase each year until reaching Sh145 million in the final year of the ten-year deal.
According to the agreement between FKF and SportPesa, clubs will share 60 per cent of the annual sponsorship money . The FKF will retain the balance to cover administrative expenses.
This season, the 18 clubs will share Sh51 million, with each team receiving Sh2.83 million.
Nairobi United players pose for a team photo before the Mozzart Bet Cup final match against Gor Mahia at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi June 29, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
This figure — Sh51 million for finishing third or fourth in a CAF Confederation Cup group — significantly surpasses the prize money for winning the Premier League and the MozzartBet Cup.
The winners of the 2025/26 SportPesa league will receive Sh15 million in prize money. The 2025 MozzartBet Cup title earned Nairobi United a Sh2 million prize, securing their spot in this season's CAF Confederation Cup.
If Nairobi United advances to the quarter-finals of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup, they will earn $550,000 (Sh71.03). An appearance in the semis will earn the Nai Bois $750,000 (Sh96.86 million). This amount increases to $1 million (Sh129.15 million) for second place and S$2 million (Sh258.3 million) if they win the competition.
This prize money model has been in effect since 2023, replacing the model used from 2009 to 2023.
Gor Mahia competed in the CAF Confederation Cup in the 2018 and 2018–19 seasons and were rewarded using the previous model. The team banked $275,000 (Sh27.5 million at the time) for exiting at the group stage in 2018 and $350,000 (Sh35 million at the time) for reaching the semi-finals in 2018–19.
Under the previous model, semi-finalists were awarded $450,000, and losing finalists earned $625,000. Winners walked away with $1.25 million.
However, according to Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier, Nairobi United may not receive their full prize money from CAF.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja (seated centre) poses for a photo with Nairobi United Football Club players and officials led by club chairman Born Maina (seated second left) outside City Hall on September 27, 2024.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
"When we competed in the CAF Confederation Cup several seasons ago, we only received about half of what we were supposed to receive. CAF deducted some expenses, which they itemised for us," Rachier told Nation Sport.
However, Rachier was not in a position to confirm whether the Football Kenya Federation benefited financially from Gor Mahia's participation in the CAF Confederation Cup. In Europe, UEFA disburses funds to federations with teams competing in their competitions as part of their solidarity payment.
When contacted for comment, Dan Shikanda, a member of the FKF National Executive Committee for the Nairobi Region, could not confirm if FKF would receive CAF funds as a result of Nairobi United's success.
“We are proud of what Nairobi United has done for Kenyan football. Their qualification could improve Kenya’s CAF ranking. As for CAF disbursing funds to FKF as a result of their success, I am unsure,” Shikanda said.
"However, the federation is not entitled to a share of the funds that the club will receive from CAF. That money is meant to help them prepare adequately for the competition.”
Mozzart Bet Cup 2025 winners: Nairobi United FC.
Photo credit: Mozzart Bet
Since 2017, the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup has featured 16 teams following an expansion from eight. The 16 teams are divided into four groups of four. The group stage draw for this season's competition will be held on November 3, 2025, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Including Nairobi United, the other teams in the draw are: Al Masry (Egypt), AS Otoho (Congo-Brazzaville), Zama (Tanzania), CR Belouizdad (Algeria), Djoliba (Mali), Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa), Maniema Union (DR Congo), Olympic Safi (Morocco), San Pedro (Côte d'Ivoire), Singida Black Stars (Tanzania), Stellenbosch (South Africa), USM Alger (Algeria), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), Zamalek (Egypt), and ZESCO United (Zambia).
