Aug 11, 2014

  • Firdose MoondaSouth Africa contributor, ESPNcricinfo

If y'all're searching for a rubber bet, put something on a North African side securing a spot in the semifinals of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League. A squad from that region has appeared in the concluding 4 in 16 of the 17 years since the restructuring of the event's format in 1997. This year, Tunisia's CS Sfaxien and People's democratic republic of algeria's ES Setif are the representatives from the Maghreb, and if yous'd had money on that, you would accept gotten some return.

What has been less anticipated is who joins the region in the last four. Teams have come from Nigeria, South Africa, Republic of ghana, Zimbabwe and, as is the example this yr, the Democratic Republic of Congo. The variety bodes well for the health of the continent'southward game and the opportunities it tin can provide for players.

TP Mazembe have been downwards this road before and won the championship twice in succession in 2009 and 2010. Every bit the most moneyed lodge on the continent, they are expected to register results like this. Some other CAF Champions League semifinal spot for Mazembe, after they failed to make the group stages concluding year, will serve equally further confirmation that the club and their investor are doing the right things.

The society is bankrolled by Moise Katumbi, the governor of the Katanga Province in which the club is located. Katumbi's coin comes from his involvement in the copper-mining industry and has funded an academy, run past Regis Laguesse, who was also part of the famed institution in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, which produced the likes of Didier Drogba, the Toure brothers and Gervinho.

In a World Soccer report published in February, Mazembe were said to have a wage bill of $v 1000000 a yr, which allows them to hold on to players who may otherwise seek riches in Europe. Zambia'south Rainford Kalaba is an case. After stints at Nice and Braga, he accustomed an offer at TP Mazembe, where his value was underlined over again when he scored the opening goal in their 3-1 win over Al-Hilal.

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Although Mazembe can count on Katumbi for cash, they are also expected to produce some of it themselves, which is why potent performances in the CAF Champions League are a must. The competition carries prize money of $1.5 million. For a team to even be in contention to win that cash, they must play at to the lowest degree seven domicile matches, which is likewise where Mazembe brand their money. The club generates most $200,000 per friction match when they fill their stadium, which commonly happens during a Champions League fixture.

TP Mazembe's formula is an enviable ane: They have plenty money to pay for the correct players to challenge in events like the Champions League, and they brand money by doing well in that competition. Their bank balance allows them to attract both the all-time homegrown players and talents from places like Zambia, Ghana, Mali and Tanzania -- and to provide them with the chance to polish on the continental phase.

Every bit Vita, the other Congolese club in the semis, have not quite enjoyed the same golden growth but take too had the means to field foreign players, albeit of a slightly lesser stature than their Mazembe counterparts. One of their virtually recent acquisitions is Republic of uganda'due south teenage prodigy, Yunus Sentamu. The striker, who turns 20 on Wednesday, was acquired for an undisclosed amount in April after he scored all iii Ugandan goals in the African Nations Championship earlier in the year. He netted the winner for Vita confronting Zamalek, which booked Vita a offset advent in the CAF Champions League semis since 1981, when they finished every bit finalists.

That the overseas-based players are putting in telling performances is testament to ane of the things the CAF Champions League is all most. Information technology's a platform for potential and promise to blossom, and if more clubs can provide that, more players from the continent volition benefit.