The Super Eagles’ run to the semifinals of the current Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast is said to have brought them $2.5 million (N3 billion) in prize money.At the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Friday, Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 to advance to the semi-finals of the 34th AFCON.
The Eagles, like their opponents in the semi-finals, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the host Ivory Coast, are among the four teams still in the competition that have already received $2.5 million.Prior to the competition commencing, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, the president of Confederation of Africa Football, declared a forty percent rise in prize money.
The football governing body announced on its website on January 4 that the winners of the competition will take home $7 million, which is $2 million more than the prize money awarded at the previous tournament in Cameroon.The African showcase event’s runners-up will now receive $4 million, the two semi-finalists $2.5 million each, and the four quarter-finalists $1.3 million each.
“CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the prize money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions,” he 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,” he added.Nigeria would have received at least $4 million (N5 billion) in prize money if they had made it to the championship match.They will also receive $7 million (N8.8 billion) if they win the tournament.
Ahead of their semi-final matchup with South Africa on Wednesday, the Eagles arrived in Bouake, the second-largest city in Ivory Coast, on Tuesday, which is today.The entire competition for Jose Peseiro’s team has taken place in Abidjan. In their first two encounters, they drew 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
In their second match, they defeated the hosts, Ivory Coast, 1-0.The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and the Antelopes of Angola were defeated 2-0 and 1-0 respectively at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, where they also triumphed in their final group match against Guinea Bissau.
The team trained twice in Abidjan on Sunday and Monday, and will now train once in Bouake on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Nigeria Football Federation.
In the past, Nigeria and Egypt met in the semi-final of the 1984 AFCON, which was held in the city of Bouake. Nigeria prevailed 8-7 on penalties after regulation and extra time ended 2-2. At that time, Ivory Coast was the host nation. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s match against Cameroon ended in a 3-1 defeat.
The victorious teams from South Africa vs. Nigeria and the Ivory Coast, the hosts, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will meet in Yamoussoukro on the same day..
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