Sports

CAF Raises AFCON Winner Prize Money To $7m

Published

2 years ago

January 4, 2024

Editor

The Confederation of African Football has increased the cash prize money for the upcoming 2023 TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations by 40 per cent.

The continental football body disclosed this on Thursday on its website.

CAF stated that the winner of the 2023 AFCON will receive $7 million while the runner-up will now get $4 million.

Each of the two semi-finalists will receive $2.5 million and each of the four quarter-finalists will get $1.3 million.

The statement, according to the CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepeon, read, “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 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.”

The PUNCH reports that CAF also raised the prize money of the previous AFCON edition in 2022 to $5 million.

The winner’s prize money was increased from $4.5 million, representing an increase of about 11 per cent.

The decision was taken in Douala, Cameroon, during the meeting of the Executive Committee of the CAF.

The PUNCH reports that the tournament will be held from January 13 to February 11 in Ivory Coast.

Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro’s side was drawn in Group A alongside hosts, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau, and have adopted the catch-phrase ‘Let’s Do It Again’ as their battle cry towards winning a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title in early next year.

Sports

AFCON: Osimhen Threatens To Dump Super Eagles, Return To Galatasaray

Published

16 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, reportedly threatened to quit the national team and return to Turkey.

According to Arise News, Osimhen was left fuming following his altercation with Ademola Lookman during the 4-0 win over Mozambique at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.

Having scored a brace thanks to assists from Lookman, the 27-year-old lashed out at his team-mate for failing to pass to him in the 64th minute.

Osimhen then beckoned on the bench asking to be taken off, before he was replaced by Moses Simon.

At full time, Osimhen stormed out of the stadium and dropped his accreditation card, insisting he was “done” with the national team and wanted to fly back to Turkey.

He was then pacified by senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

Sports

NPFL Announces Resumption Date For Second Stanza

Published

19 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has announced a date for the start of the second stanza of the 2025-26 season.

The second stanza will commence on Wednesday, 14 January, 2026.

The fixture will start with mid-week games across all the designated NPFL centers.

The NPFL disclosed this in a letter addressed to all the clubs.

The league body urged clubs to expect fixtures congestion in the second stanza.

Rivers United occupy top position on the NPFL table with 37 points from 19 matches.

Sports

Chelsea Coach Hails 3 Players For Keeping Team Together After Maresca’s Departure

Published

19 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Chelsea interim coach, Calum McFarlane has hailed three Blues players for keeping the team together after Enzo Maresca departed from the Premier League west London club.

Speaking after Chelsea’s recent Premier League 1-1 draw with Manchester City, McFarlane lauded Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Enzo Fernandez for their leadership and unifying influence in the Blues’ squad.

“I think it is a good moment to speak about the players. This is not an easy job,” McFarlane told reporters after the match.

“There is a lot of change that has gone on. Enzo was incredibly successful with this group. Some of them were shocked by the decision to sack Maresca.

“The character that they have shown today. Reece is a big one. Reece, Tosin and Enzo have really dragged the group together.”

Chelsea’s next Premier League tie is against Fulham on Wednesday.