The verdict in three sentences
A regional league managing 140 clubs, 6,000 registered players and 900 matches per season on paper and WhatsApp loses roughly two days of admin work every week on data entry, payment reminders and calls to referees. A custom league management platform costs 5,000,000 to 12,000,000 FCFA (about 7,600 to 18,300 EUR) in 2026 depending on the modules: online licences, fixtures, referee assignment, digital match sheets and public results. With fees collected through Wave and Orange Money, the investment usually pays back in under two seasons.
What a league platform costs in 2026
The budget mainly depends on the number of modules and how far fixture scheduling is automated. A league can start with licences and payments, then add referees and the digital match sheet during the next off-season.
| Module | What it does | Indicative 2026 budget (FCFA) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online licences | Club and player records, photo, medical certificate, league approval, QR-coded card | 1,200,000 to 2,500,000 | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Online fees | Club affiliation and licence fees paid via Wave, Orange Money or Free Money, automatic receipt | 600,000 to 1,200,000 | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Fixtures | Groups, home and away legs, postponements, pitch availability, PDF export | 900,000 to 2,000,000 | 3 to 5 weeks |
| Referee assignment | Availability, grades, travel distance, allowances, SMS notification | 900,000 to 2,200,000 | 3 to 5 weeks |
| Digital match sheet | Line-ups, goals, cards, mobile signatures, works offline | 800,000 to 2,000,000 | 3 to 5 weeks |
| Public website | Results, standings, top scorers, club news | 600,000 to 1,300,000 | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Discipline | Card accumulation, automatic suspensions, blocking ineligible players | 400,000 to 800,000 | 2 weeks |
On top of this come hosting (30,000 to 60,000 FCFA per month at this volume), SMS (15 to 25 FCFA each) and maintenance, from 35,000 to 120,000 FCFA per month depending on in-season support. These are 2026 ballpark figures, to be confirmed after a scoping workshop.
Paper versus software: the numbers over one season
The gain goes beyond admin time. A licence approved within 48 hours means a player eligible for matchday one, and a legible match sheet means one less dispute before the disciplinary committee.
| Indicator | Paper and WhatsApp | With software (target) |
|---|---|---|
| Admin time on licences and fixtures | 5 days per week | 3 days per week |
| Licence approval time | 7 to 15 days | 24 to 48 h |
| Fees collected by the deadline | about 70 % | 90 % or more |
| Referee assignment for a 30-match weekend | 1 full day of calls | 2 hours |
| Lost or illegible match sheets | 5 to 8 % | under 1 % |
| Results publication | 3 to 5 days | the evening of the match |
| Ineligible player complaints | 10 to 15 per season | 2 to 3 per season |
What to scope before asking for a quote
- Offline mode: on pitches in Tivaouane, Mbour or Khombole, 4G coverage is patchy. The match sheet must be filled in without a network and sync later.
- Rules: age categories, transfers, licence quotas per club and the sanctions scale must follow the Senegalese Football Federation rules, configurable each season without redevelopment.
- Roles: league, district, club, referee, match commissioner and public have different rights. Plan for 5 to 7 profiles.
- Referee allowances: the software calculates the amount per match and per distance, then prepares a Wave or Orange Money payout file.
- Personal data: many players are minors. Parental consent, secure hosting and a filing with the CDP under Senegal's Law 2008-12 are required.
Mini case study
Mr Sarr, general secretary of a regional league in Thiès, collects 140 club affiliations at 75,000 FCFA (10,500,000 FCFA) and 6,000 licences at 2,500 FCFA (15,000,000 FCFA) every season, so 25,500,000 FCFA expected. On paper, 70 % comes in by the deadline. With mobile payment and automatic reminders, the target is 90 %: +5,100,000 FCFA collected on time. The two admin days saved over 36 weeks add up to 72 days, valued at 12,000 FCFA each, or 864,000 FCFA. After 1 % mobile payment fees (about 230,000 FCFA), the net gain approaches 5,700,000 FCFA per season (about 8,700 EUR). For software at 8,500,000 FCFA plus 900,000 FCFA of yearly maintenance, payback comes in roughly 1.6 seasons.
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FAQ
Can clubs without a computer register their players?
Yes, the interface is built for smartphones: a club official registers a player in about 3 minutes, photo included. For poorly equipped clubs, the league can keep a front-desk entry option during the first season.
How much do hosting and maintenance cost?
For 6,000 players and 900 matches, hosting runs around 30,000 to 60,000 FCFA per month. Maintenance ranges from 35,000 to 120,000 FCFA per month, the top tier including weekend on-call support during the season.
Does the match sheet work without a network at the ground?
Yes, it is stored on the referee's or commissioner's phone and sent as soon as the network returns. Offline mode accounts for about 20 % of the module budget.
Can referee allowances be paid through Wave?
The software calculates each referee's allowance, for example 10,000 to 25,000 FCFA per match depending on the category, and generates a bulk payment file. Final approval stays with the league treasurer.
How long does it take to be ready for the new season?
Allow 10 to 14 weeks for the full core. For a November kick-off, the project should start by the end of July at the latest, licences first.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of clubs, players and matches per season: we will price the modules you need, from 5,000,000 to 12,000,000 FCFA, on a schedule aligned with your season start. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
