Africa/Foot : CAN 2023, historical increase in prices and Senegalese favoritism
In just over nine days, the kickoff of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) is scheduled, taking place from January 13 to February 11, 2024. While this 34th edition will feature the participation of 24 teams, only a few stand a real chance of claiming victory. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a 40% increase in the prize money for the tournament winner.
« The winner of the 34th edition of the largest sporting event organized on African soil will receive USD 7.000.000 equivalent to 4.194.197.100 CFA francs. The runner-up of this TotalEnergies CAF CAN Ivory Coast 2023 will receive USD 4.000.000. Each semi-finalist will take home USD 2.500.000 and each of the four quarter-finalists will receive USD 1.300.000 » stated the Confederation of African Football.
This increase has been praised by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who believes that CAF has made significant progress over the past two years by increasing the prize money for the CAN and all its other major competitions.
« We have increased the prize money for the CAN winner to USD 7,000,000, representing a 40% increase compared to the previous CAN. I am confident that a portion of this amount will contribute to the development of football and benefit all football stakeholders, while also assisting our member associations in their administration », emphasized the South African head of CAF.
As the defending champions, Senegal is logically the top favorite for a successful defense. With at least one standout player in each position, the Lions have never seemed stronger. Blending physicality, technique, and tactics seamlessly, Aliou Cissé’s team appears to be the most well-rounded in this final phase.
Moreover, they are on a positive momentum, having lost only one of their last nine matches since the elimination from the 2022 World Cup.
