Chippa score R3m World Cup boost

Chippa United have received a significant windfall from Fifa as the only Premier Soccer League club to send a player to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Nigerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi was part of the Super Eagles squad that exited in the first round and, though he did not get any playing time‚ the Chilli Boys will be paid $237‚720 (approximately R3.3m) just for having him at the global soccer showcase.

The payment is part of an amount of $209m (about R2.9bn) that is to be paid out to 416 clubs from 63 member associations who had players at the finals in Russia‚ which represents an almost 200% increase on 2014.

Although Chippa owner Siviwe Mpengesi may be popping the champagne‚ the club’s award pales in comparison to other teams who had more players at the finals.

Africa’s top earner was Egyptian giants Al Ahly‚ who receives $1.744‚695 (R24.2m)‚ while the likes of Espérance (R10.6m)‚ Club Africain (R9.5m) and Etoile du Sahel (R8.9m) were also big beneficiaries.

It is one of the reasons why Premier Soccer League clubs should be desperate to see Bafana Bafana qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar‚ because there is much to gain for clubs with a number of players in the national team.

The club that benefited most globally was Manchester City‚ who will received a little over $5m (R70m).

The amounts were calculated based on the total pot of $209m divided by the number of players at the tournament and the number of days each player spent at the finals, including the two week build-up.

It worked out to US$8‚530 (R119‚000) per day per player‚ with Akpeyi’s build-up and stay calculated at 28 days.