The pressure is on at AFCON, with not just continental glory but a staggering R132 million prize money up for grabs for the eventual champion.
The hefty sum has raised the stakes even higher for the 24 participating teams, who will be battling it out on the pitch for national pride from the 13th of January to the 11th of February in Ivory Coast.
And the financial reward for the AFCON winner is a massive 40 per cent increase by CAF from the last edition of Africa’s showpiece. But the financial bounty doesn’t stop there.
The runner-up will pocket a cool R75 million, while both semi-finalists will be awarded R47 million apiece. Even quarter-finalists won’t be left empty-handed, receiving a respectable R24.4 million each.
DR PATRICE MOTSEPE HAILS THE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICAN FOOTBALL
CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe hailed the development as a testament to the association’s commitment to enhancing the prestige and competitiveness of African football.
“We have made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the prize money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions,” said Motsepe.
“This substantial raise for the AFCON champions further underlines our dedication to rewarding excellence and supporting our member associations.”
Dr Motsepe expressed confidence that a portion of the prize money will not only serve as a well-deserved reward for the winning team but also contribute to crucial football development initiatives across the continent.
This, he believes, will ultimately benefit all stakeholders within the African football ecosystem, including players, coaches, and national associations.
The increased prize money is sure to add even more spice to the already highly anticipated AFCON.
BAFANA BAFANA’S MATCHES
Bafana Bafana are placed in Group E alongside Mali, Tunisia and Namibia. Their opener will be against Mali on Tuesday, 16 January, before locking horns against Namibia on Sunday, 21 January.
The former AFCON winner’s last group stage match will be against Tunisia on Wednesday, 24 January.
RELATED STORY: R75 million at stake for African Football League: Everything you need to know