Bafana Bafana have already secured R24.4 million in prize money after reaching the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This windfall comes after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced a 40% increase in prize money for the tournament.
ALSO READ: AFCON fan correctly predicts 7 straight matches!
Giant Killing at AFCON
Bafana Bafana’s success is part of a wider trend of giant killing at the tournament, with no quarterfinalists from the 2021 edition making it to the last eight this time around. The remaining teams in the competition are Nigeria, Angola, Congo DR, Guinea, Mali, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde, and South Africa.
ALSO READ: Swallows’ loss becomes SuperSport’s gain
Increased Prize Money Benefits All
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe said that the increased prize money is part of a wider effort to develop football across Africa. “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.”
ALSO READ: No new toys: Can Kaizer Chiefs rise without January signings?
Dr. Motsepe added that he is confident that the prize money will benefit all stakeholders in African football. “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.”
Bafana Bafana Eye Bigger Prize
If Bafana Bafana can reach the semi-finals, they will stand to earn even more prize money, with a total of R46.9 million on offer. The full prize money breakdown is as follows:
- Winner: USD 7,000,000 (R131 million)
- Runners-up: USD 4,000,000 (R75 million)
- Semi-finalists (2 teams): USD 2,500,000 (R46.9 million)
- Quarter-finalists (4 teams): USD 1,300,000 (R24.4 million)
- Round of 16 (8 teams): USD 800,000 (R15 million)
- The two teams ranked 3rd in their group but fail to qualify for the Last 16 (2 teams): USD 700,000 (R13 million)
- The teams ranked 4th in each of the 6 groups (6 teams): USD 500,000 (R9.4 million)
ALSO READ: Top FIVE best earners at Kaizer Chiefs
Bafana Bafana will be hoping to continue their giant-killing run and secure even more prize money for South African football.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY LUKE MENEZIES