Congolese Ligue 1 clubs promised 25 million FCFA each ahead of restart
The return of the league could come with increased financial backing for clubs. With the Direct Ligue 1 due to resume on 21 November, FECOFOOT president Éric Alain Mantot has announced an envelope of 25 million FCFA for each participating team. The aid has yet to be confirmed, and details of how it will be paid are still awaited.
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Preparations for the restart are under way on the pitch, but also in the clubs' accounts. After a hiatus, the national championship, the Direct Ligue 1, is due to resume on 21 November. For the teams involved, the prospect of 25 million FCFA in support each could ease the return to competition.
The announcement was made by the new president of the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT), Éric Alain Mantot, at a meeting with club officials in Pointe-Noire devoted to the development of national football. He placed the clubs at the heart of the federation's priorities, stressing the need to tap new sources of funding.
Among the avenues mentioned are naming, which involves attaching a partner's name to that of the league, television rights revenue and FIFA funding. The aim is to boost clubs' resources so that they can better cover their running costs and their participation in competitions.
Support more than three times that of February 2024
If confirmed at an upcoming session of the FECOFOOT executive committee, the envelope would be more than triple the seven million FCFA handed to each of the beneficiary clubs on 20 February 2024.
The gap is significant for teams whose officials often shoulder a considerable share of running costs. This support could give them more means to prepare for the championship and meet the costs of the season.
However, how the announced sum will be delivered has yet to be spelled out: the conditions of award, the timetable and the payment arrangements are all still awaited.
CAF also increases its support to federations
The announcement comes as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) steps up funding to its member associations. Its president, Patrice Motsepe, announced on 14 October a 33% rise in annual grants, the cumulative amount of which can now reach $700,000 per association, about 409 million FCFA at the current indicative rate.
That ceiling was previously set at $525,000, about 307 million FCFA. In 2021, annual grants stood at $200,000, the equivalent of about 117 million FCFA at the same exchange rate.
CAF intends the funds to support youth and women's football, improve administration and governance, and strengthen the development structures of its member associations.
For clubs, the question is when the money arrives
The rise in continental funding provides a favourable backdrop, but Congolese clubs are now waiting for the practical details of the support announced by FECOFOOT.
With 21 November approaching, the date these funds become available will be decisive. Beyond the amount promised, what matters is having the money in hand when clubs prepare for the restart, and then being able to keep teams funded throughout the championship.