Nigerian clubs Rivers United and Shooting Stars are set to receive a combined 100-thousand-dollar reward despite their early exits from CAF inter-club competitions.

The two clubs failed to progress beyond the preliminary rounds of this season’s continental tournaments, ending Nigeria’s hopes of an early strong showing.

Rivers United were knocked out of the CAF Champions League by Ivorian side San Pedro after a keenly contested tie.

The Nigerian champions had fought hard in both legs but the encounter ended 3-3 on aggregate, with the away goals rule deciding the outcome in favour of the Ivorians.

The result means Rivers United will not feature in the lucrative group stage of the Champions League, a setback for the Port Harcourt-based side.

In the CAF Confederation Cup, Shooting Stars Sports Club, 3SC, also suffered elimination after losing 2-1 on aggregate to Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien.

The Ibadan-based club showed resilience in the second leg but could not overturn the deficit against the experienced North African side.

Sfaxien’s victory ensured they progressed to the next round while 3SC returned home to focus on domestic football.

Despite the exits, both clubs are expected to benefit from a financial reward package worth $100,000.

The payment, provided under CAF’s new solidarity scheme for clubs participating in preliminary rounds, is aimed at supporting clubs with logistics and operational costs.

The financial reward is expected to provide some relief for both Nigerian clubs as they turn their attention to their domestic campaigns.

The payment also comes as Nigerian clubs continue to push for better performances and stronger financial support in continental football, with stakeholders calling for improved preparation and investment to compete with North and Southern African clubs.

Football analysts say the early elimination highlights the need for Nigerian clubs to strengthen their squads and improve pre-season preparation to match the intensity of continental football.

Both Rivers United and Shooting Stars have now shifted focus to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, where they will be aiming to secure another shot at continental qualification next season.

Fans of both clubs have expressed disappointment over the exits but urged the management to use the $100,000 support judiciously to rebuild and improve the teams’ competitiveness.