Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-02-11 04:39:16
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are on the brink of a massive financial windfall in the final of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations as they prepare to face off against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire. The winner of the final will receive a staggering $7 million (N8.9 billion) in prize money, providing an extra incentive for the players and coaching staff as they gear up for the highly anticipated match.
Nigeria’s journey to the final has been nothing short of dramatic, as they managed to secure their place after defeating the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a thrilling penalty shootout. The game, which ended 1-1 after 120 minutes of play, saw Nigeria emerge victorious with a 4-2 score in the penalty shootout at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake. Their performance in the semi-final has already earned them a hefty $4 million in prize money, a significant reward for their impressive run in the tournament.
The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) had announced a 40% increase in prize money before the start of the tournament, signaling a boost in financial rewards for the participating teams. As a result, the winners of the AFCON will now receive $7 million, a staggering $2 million more than the previous edition held in Cameroon. The runners-up of the tournament will also receive a substantial amount of $4 million (N5 billion), while the losing semi-finalists, South Africa and DR Congo, will each pocket $2.5 million. Additionally, the four quarter-finalists will take home $1.3 million each as a reward for their efforts in the competition.
The increase in prize money has been met with approval from CAF boss, Patrice Motsepe, who praised the organization for its efforts to elevate the financial rewards for teams participating in major competitions. Motsepe expressed confidence that a portion of the prize money would contribute to developing football and benefitting all football stakeholders, as well as assisting Member Associations with their administrations.
The prospect of winning such a substantial amount of prize money has undoubtedly added an extra layer of excitement and motivation for the Super Eagles and the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire as they prepare to battle it out in the highly anticipated final. The financial rewards not only serve as a testament to the significance of the AFCON as a prestigious tournament but also act as a catalyst for teams to push themselves to achieve success on the international stage. As the final approaches, the stakes are higher than ever, with both teams vying for not only the title of AFCON champions but also the substantial financial rewards that await the victor.
