Obscure Regulation Means That CAF Confederations Cup Winner Can't Play in Champions League

• The winner of the CAF Confederations Cup is in for a shock when it comes to participating in next season's Champions League
• An obscure but definite technicality within the continent's football governing body's rules and regulations states that the winner can't participate in the main competition
• This is unless the particular winner of the competition finishes in the pre-requisite position stipulated in CAF's rule book

The winner of the CAF Confederations Cup is in for a shock.

According to the continent's football governing body, they won't be playing in the Champions League next season but for a technicality in the rule book.

The rules state that in order to qualify for the Champions League, a team has to secure a league position of first or second in the top 12 ranked leagues in Africa, and finish first outside these leagues to complete the set.

This throws out the window the assumption that winning the Confed Cup seals Champions League qualifications, as is the case in Europe with the UEFA Europa League and Champions League.

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According to iDiski Times, section four, rule 13 states:

"The winner of CAF Confederation Cup must take part in the next edition of CAF Confederation Cup unless it is engaged in CAF Champions League of the same season.”

This means that either way, Al Ahli SC (Libya), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), TP Mazembe (DR Congo) and RS Berkane (Morocco), will need to be the champions of or the runners-up in their respective leagues.

The semifinals of the competition will be held between 08 and 15 May.

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Football is a lucrative sport when winning trophies and competing in big tournaments.

As reported on Sports Brief, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are now benefitting from being among the elite teams in Africa, thanks to their participation in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup.

Orlando Pirates qualified for the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup, beating Simba SC on Sunday, while Mamelodi Sundowns were eliminated at the quarter-final stage.