The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that the winners of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Cote d’Ivoire will pocket $7 million (R131 million).
The runners-up are set to walk away with $4 million (R75 million), semi-finalists $2,5 million (R46 million) while the quarterfinalists will receive $1,3 million (R24 million).
In a statement, CAF President, Patrice Motsepe said he is optimistic that some of the money will go towards developing the sport in the continent.
“CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the prize money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions.
We have increased the prize money of the AFCON winners to USD 7000 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 benefit all the football stakeholders as well as assist our member associations with their administrations,’’ said Motsepe.
The tournament is set to kick off from 13 January to 11 February 2024, with South Africa drawn in Group E, alongside Namibia, Tunisia, and Mali.
Bafana Bafana will face Mali on Tuesday, 16 January and then Namibia on Sunday, 21 January.
The team will finish off their group matches against Tunisia on Wednesday 24 January.
Meanwhile, Mzansi took to social media to express excitement over the increased winner’s purse.
“I knew that where Motsepe lands, good things happen,’’ read one of the comments.
Another post applauded Motsepe’s leadership.
“Dr Motsepe and his leadership are doing wonders for the growth of African Football. Amazing.’’
“Let’s hope the various football associations will also give enough money to players and the whole team of trainers,’’ commented another one.
Bafana Bafana mentor, Hugo Broos, who previously won AFCON while he was at the helm of Cameroon back in 2017, hopes for the same outcome with the team this year.
“It was certainly a special experience winning a big tournament, but winning it in Africa, it is a totally different mentality and I had to learn and know.
And for me, it was a fantastic experience winning it.
If you ask me, do I want to do it again, sure I want to do it again,’’ explained Broos.
