THE Confederation of African Football is expected to announce that there will be an extra place for South Africa in forthcoming African Champions League and African Confederation Cup competition in the next few days.

From next year, the country should be allowed two teams in each of the annual competitions, restoring the quota lost in recent years because of poor performances.

A confirmation from CAF is expected in the next week after a meeting of the executive committee.

It should prove a massive incentive for the teams competing in this year's Premier Soccer League with a valuable prize now for the runner-up as well as the winner.

The top two sides at the end of the season will qualify for the 2015 Champions League; the third-place team in the PSL plus the winner of the Nedbank Cup will participate in the African Confederation Cup.

The change comes after South Africa climbed significantly up the rankings of club performance in CAF competitions. This is on the back of Orlando Prates' run to the final of last year's Champions League with the Buccaneers virtually single-handedly ensuring South Africa's new status.

In 2004, CAF introduced an extra place in both competitions for the top 12 countries in Africa - based on performances over the previous five years.

SA was among the 12 and had two teams in the Champions League field from 2004 to 2010 (except in 2007, when Pirates did not enter).

But in 2011, after a series of poor results, South Africa dropped alarmingly down the rankings and was stripped of its extra berth.