CAF Confirms Prize Money Breakdown for AFCON 2015
The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) officially kicked off on January 17 in Equatorial Guinea, with 16 nations vying for continental glory and the chance to succeed reigning champions Nigeria, who failed to qualify for the tournament.
In parallel with the on-pitch action, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed the official prize money structure for this 30th edition of the competition. A total purse of $10 million will be distributed among the participating teams, with financial rewards allocated based on performance.
Official Prize Money Distribution:
Tournament Winner: $1,500,000
Finalist (Runner-up): $1,000,000
Third Place (Winner of 3rd place match): $750,000
Fourth Place (Loser of 3rd place match): $750,000
Quarter-finalists: $600,000
Third Place in Group (Non-qualifiers): $500,000
Fourth Place in Group: $400,000
CAF’s prize structure reflects its aim to reward performance throughout the tournament while providing financial support to all participating federations, even those eliminated in the group stage.
With high stakes on the line—not just in terms of sporting prestige, but financial incentive as well—competition is expected to be fierce as teams battle their way through the group stages and knockout rounds.
The distribution of funds, especially the equal reward for both third and fourth place in the playoff match, has sparked some debate, but CAF has defended its decision, citing the importance of acknowledging the effort of teams reaching the final four.
As the tournament progresses, the prize money will serve as an added motivator for players and coaches looking to etch their names into African football history.
