Mamelodi Sundowns head home with massive cash boost

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Mamelodi Sundowns may have failed to get beyond the group phase, but they headed home to Pretoria from the United States $12.5 million (R222 million) richer.

The winners of eight consecutive South African Premiership titles received a $9.5 mn appearance fee, $2 mn for defeating Ulsan of South Korea and $1 mn for drawing with Fluminense.

Pocketing $12.5 mn is the equivalent of winning the South African championship 11 times for a club owned by Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe.

Tanzania

Young Africans defeated arch rivals and fellow Dar es Salaam club Simba 2-0 in a final-round showdown to win the Tanzanian Premier League by four points.

Needing a draw to stay ahead of Simba, Yanga took the lead midway through the second half via Ivorian Pacome Zouzoua and a late Clement Mzize goal sealed victory.

Having become champions a record-extending 26th time, Yanga will seek a domestic double when they meet Singida Black Stars in the FA Cup final on Sunday.

Egypt

Croatian coach Krunoslav Jurcic and Congolese forward Fiston Mayele could be leaving Pyramids after helping the Cairo club win the 2024/25 CAF Champions League.

Egyptian media said Jurcic will discuss his future with the first-time African champions when he returns from a holiday.

Mayele, the nine-goal winner of the Champions League Golden Boot award last season, has been linked to Saudi Pro League club Al Fateh.

Nigeria

Lower league club Abakaliki face top-flight outfit Kwara United on Saturday with the Nigerian FA Cup trophy and CAF Confederation Cup qualification on the line.

Both teams will be appearing in the final of the Federation Cup, the premier domestic knockout competition, for the first time.

Abia Warriors, third in the national league behind CAF Champions League qualifiers Remo Stars and Rivers United, are the other Nigerian qualifiers for the second-tier Confederation Cup.

South Africa

Veteran forward Letsie Koapeng scored against former club Cape Town City to earn Orbit College a 1-0 victory in northwest town Rustenburg and promotion to the South African Premiership.

The 33-year-old netted after 48 minutes, sidefooting a low cross into the net past former South Africa goalkeeper Darren Keet.

Defeat condemned Cape Town to relegation, and a massive financial blow. Top-flight clubs receive a 30 million rand ($1.7 mn) annual grant and second division teams nine million rand.

MORE: Star-studded Cape Town City relegated to first division

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images

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