Stan Matthews’ call to Patrice Motsepe

SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews has pleaded with CAF president Patrice Motsepe as he revealed what dampens his liking for competing in CAF competitions.

The SuperSport United boss is beset with beefing up his squad for the 2023/24 CAF Confederations Cup.

Matsatsantsa booked a place in the second-tier continental Championship after finishing the season in third position.

SuperSport United will compete in this edition along with Sekhukhune United, who were Nedbank Cup runners-up.

Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates will compete for honours in the usually nerve-wracking CAF Champions League.

WHY STAN MATTHEWS IS FRETTING AHEAD OF THE AFRICAN SAFARI SOJOURN

However, SuperSport United’s CEO Stan Matthews is fretting over the financial challenges he will likely face.

Stan Matthews said: “It’s a tough call to feel good about qualifying for Africa [Confederations Cup].

“If Africa was so lucrative, then we would know that we are not going to lose money. But I’m only guaranteed of the one million that PSL gives me as a grant to go to Africa for the first-round match.

“Thereafter, I’ll be on my own. I’m guaranteed to lose over a million rand. For me, as a football club, as much as I want to do those things.

“The challenge is for CAF to find a funding model which doesn’t necessitate compromising my squad.

“I might have to potentially sell one of my best players to fund the losses that I’m going to make in Africa.

“This system needs to be reviewed because it’s not an incentive; it’s a punishment. And what we want is an incentive.

“We want to represent our country well and go as far as we can. But without giving us the windfall, like when you qualify in Europe, you get millions in tv money the further that you go.

“So by not qualifying, it’s really harsh; look at what-a happening in the Champions League, for example. And what it would mean for a brand like Chelsea or Liverpool not to be in the top four.

“It means big suffering because you are not going to have the funding model. For me, that’s a challenge that should be improved.”

STAN MATTHEWS’ CALL TO CAF PRESIDENT PATRICE MOTSEPE

In fact, Stan Matthews implored CAF President Patrice Motsepe to push for the improvement of the competition’s funding models.

“Hopefully, with a President at CAF now who understands what happens at club level.

“He knows how much money he has had to invest in Africa running his club. We are all hopeful that Dr Motsepe is going to keep pushing for reforms and structural amendments in CAF.

“Reforms that make both the Champions League and Confederations Cup are financially lucrative and attractive. So that we get the cash that makes me confident of competing for player X, player Y or Z.

“Right now, I can’t compete for players because I’m facing a potential minus ten on my budget.

“If you are Sundowns or Pirates, you are built for that in terms of resources. We are not yet there so we must be true to ourselves.” the SuperSport United CEO added.

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