The 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is entering its penultimate stage this weekend, in what has been arguably the most exciting edition so far.
From first class refereeing, spot on use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), last-minute dramas, to ecstatic fans, state-of-the-art stadiums, and big upsets, this year’s edition has really set the bar too high.
As if all these is not enough, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decided to increase — by 40% — the price money for the winner of the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
Sunday’s epic AFCON final
On Sunday, February 18, Nigeria and Ivory Coast players will be walking out of the Alassane Ouattara Stadium tunnel, knowing that the winner of that game will go home with USD 7 million (KSh1.1165 billion).
After the significant increase, the runners-up of the tournament will now get USD 4 million (KSh638 million).
South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who will face off in the third place play-off on Saturday, February 10 will each receive USD 2.5 million (KSh398.75 million).
Angola, Guinea, Mali and Cape Verde will each receive USD 1.3 million (KSh207.35 million) for their adventurous journey to the quarter finals of Africa’s biggest football bonanza.
Meanwhile, the 8 teams knocked out in the Round of 16 will get USD 800,000 (KSh127.60 million) each. The teams are; Namibia, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt, Mauritania, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Morocco.
The two teams that finished third in their groups but failed to advance to the knock-out stage i.e. Ghana and Zambia will each get USD 700,000 (KSh111.65 million).
Lastly, the six teams that finished last in their respective groups will enjoy USD 500,000 (KSh79.75 million) each. The teams are; Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Mozambique, Algeria, Tunisia and Tanzania.
Developing football…
The President of CAF, Dr Patrice Motsepe while revealing these cash prizes at the start of the tournament said: “CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the Prize Money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions.”
Dr Motsepe exuded confidence that the hefty prize money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, “as well as assist our Member Associations with their administrations.”
