All the 24 participating teams including Nigeria’s Super Eagles to this year’s Africa Cup of Nations have been given a major boost by the Confederation of Africa Football ahead of the tournament’s kick-off.
They were each given $260,000 (N94m) by the football governing body to kick start preparations for the football showpiece billed for this summer in Egypt.
On the whole CAF has spent $6.2m to ensure all the competing teams get quality preparations especially the small nations who may have challenges with funds.
Meanwhile, CAF has earmarked $600,000 that each of the countries will get as participating fees while the winner will pocket $4.5m in addition to the trophy. It is an increase from the previous tournament where defending champions Cameroon smiled home with $4m.
Runners up, Egypt received $2 million, while Burkina Faso and Ghana, the two semifinalists, went home with $1.5 million each.
This year’s Afcon will be the 32nd edition and the first to be played by 24 teams from 21st June to 19th July.