Daniel Otera
For the first time in the history of the African Nations Championship, the tournament champions will walk away with a massive $3.5 million, following a record prize announcement by the Confederation of African Football.
CAF confirmed the $10.4 million total prize pool on Monday, describing it as a bold step to boost the competition’s value and encourage development of home-based talent across the continent.
“This increase in prize money will support the development of locally based players and help strengthen the global competitiveness of African football,” said CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe.
Runners-up will receive $1.2 million, while the third and fourth-place teams will get $700,000 and $600,000 respectively. Losing quarter-finalists will each go home with $450,000.
Teams finishing third or fourth in their groups will earn $300,000 or $200,000, and even bottom-placed teams in the five-team groups will collect $200,000. All 19 participating teams will receive something.
Motsepe said CHAN remains central to CAF’s plan to grow the African game. “This tournament is a key part of our strategy to make African football more appealing to fans, sponsors, and global broadcasters,” he said.
The 2024 CHAN will also be historic for being the first edition hosted across three countries Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from 2 to 30 August 2025.
For Nigeria, the pressure is real. After missing the last edition, the Super Eagles are back with hopes of finally clinching a first CHAN title. They secured their spot by defeating Ghana 3–1 on aggregate.
Coach Eric Chelle will be banking on locally based players to rewrite Nigeria’s CHAN record. The country’s best finish remains second place in 2018.