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Djoliba reward players with motorbikes ahead of CAF Confederation Cup tie against Abia Warriors
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Bamako giants Djoliba AC have presented 21 motorbikes to their players as an incentive ahead of their 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round clash with Nigerian debutants Abia Warriors.
The Malian club, runners-up in the 2012 edition, say the motorbikes are strictly for training and matchday transport, with a ban on social or commercial use.
“We want our players arriving early and focused. These gifts are to motivate them towards continental success,” a club official explained.
Motorbikes remain a common mode of transport in West Africa, where car ownership is often costly.
Djoliba will host the first leg in September before travelling to Nigeria for the return.
The winner will face USFA of Burkina Faso or AS Gbohloe-Su des Lacs of Togo for a place in the lucrative group stage, which guarantees $400,000 per club.
CAF has also doubled payouts for teams eliminated in qualifying to $100,000 to offset travel and accommodation expenses.
North African clubs remain favourites, having won 17 of the 22 editions.
Zamalek (Egypt), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), 2023 champions USM Alger, and Chabab Belouizdad (Algeria) are among the top contenders, while reigning champions Renaissance Berkane are in the CAF Champions League this season.
