On Thursday, January 4, 2024, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed a substantial 40% boost in the prize money for the victor of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Côte d’Ivoire.
According to a statement posted on CAF’s website, cafonline.com, the champion of this edition will now be awarded $7 million, a significant increase from the initial $5 million.
The runner-up’s prize has been raised to $4 million from the original $2.7 million, and each of the two semi-finalists will now receive $2.5 million.
In the quarter-finals, each of the four participating teams is set to receive $1.3 million. CAF President Patrice Motsepe highlighted the substantial progress made by the football body over the last two years in elevating the prize money for AFCON and other major competitions. Motsepe said;
“We have increased the Prize Money of the AFCON Winner to USD 7 000 000 which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON Prize Money.
“I am confident that a portion of the Prize Money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our Member Associations with their administrations.”
The upcoming tournament is scheduled to commence on January 13 and conclude on February 11. Nigeria’s Super Eagles find themselves in Group A alongside hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau. The last time the Eagles clinched the African championship title was at the 2013 edition held in South Africa.
Unfortunately, Wilfred Ndidi will miss the AFCON 2023 due to injury. Royal Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf has been named as his replacement.
LISTEN TO FOOTBALL PODCAST
