This year’s 32nd edition of AFCON finals that is about a week and a half away from kick off is not only bigger in terms of participating teams that changed from being 16 to 24, but even the prize money that will be shared has been increased.
In the last edition that happened in 2017, champions Cameroon was awarded a cash prize of $4 million (about Shs14 billion). The winner of the 2019 AFCON trophy will take home $4.5 million (about Shs16.9 billion).
Runners-up have a $0.5 million increment and will pocket US$2.5 million (about Shs9 billion). Semifinalists and quarterfinalists will be awarded $2.0 million (about Shs7 billion) and $800,000 (about Shs3 billion) respectively. Teams that will be eliminated at the group stage will walk away with $ 475,000 (about Shs1.8 billion) each.
Besides the above prize money, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) a month ago cashed $260,000 (about Shs974 million) to each team to help in preparations for the final tournament. 2019 AFCON kicks off on June 21 as the host Egypt plays against Zimbabwe at Cairo International Stadium. A day after, Uganda Cranes and DR Congo will also lock horns.