After pocketing US$1.5-million (R20.9-million) for winning the CAF Champions League – five percent of which goes to SAFA – Sundowns will be all smiles on their way to the bank before Christmas when they return from the meeting of the world’s best continental clubs.
Entering the Club World Cup at the quarter-final stage means The Brazilians are already assured of at least a sixth-place finish which carries the US$1-million purse.
Sundowns will meet either Auckland City or Japan’s J-League champions (Urawa Reds or Kawasaki Frontale) on December 11 and a win in that match will propel them to the semi-finals where they will meet COPA Libertadores champions Atletico Nacional on December 14.
Reaching the semi-finals will guarantee them at least US$2-million (R27.9-million) while if they lose their first match but emerge victorious in the fifth-place play-off they will pocket US$1.5-million.
Defeat in the semi-finals coupled with a third-place play-off win will increase their rewards to US$2.5-million (R34.85-million).
If Masandawana reach the final but emerge as runners-up they will bank US$4-million (R55.8-million) with the ultimate winnings at US$5-million (R69.7-million). In all likelihood, they would need to beat Real Madrid in the final for this to happen.
With Sundowns traditionally sharing all of the prize money between the players and technical team, Chloorkop should be in the loot this year.
There is also the tiny matter of the Telkom Knockout which offers R4.25-million to the winners and remains on offer this year, which means Sundowns could eventually add almost R75-million if they win both that and the FIFA Club World Cup.