The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a record-breaking prize pool of $10.4 million for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), marking a significant financial boost for the tournament and reaffirming CAF’s commitment to growing football across the continent.
In a historic move, the eventual winners of the 2024 CHAN will walk away with $3.5 million, a 75% increase from the $2 million awarded to the champions of the previous edition.
The runner-up is set to earn $1.2 million, while the third and fourth-placed teams will receive $700,000 and $600,000, respectively.
Losing quarter-finalists won’t go empty-handed either, each receiving $450,000. Teams finishing third or fourth in their groups will be awarded either $300,000 or $200,000, depending on the group structure.
In five-team groups, the bottom-placed teams will also earn $200,000 each.
The new prize distribution plan ensures that all 19 participating teams will benefit financially, with CAF aiming to reward performance at every stage of the tournament.
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe explained that the increased prize money is part of a broader strategy to develop African football, especially at the grassroots and domestic league levels.
He highlighted CHAN’s unique format, which features only home-based players, as crucial in nurturing local talent and boosting the international competitiveness of African teams.
“This increase in prize money will support the development of locally based players and help strengthen the global competitiveness of African football,” Motsepe stated.
He added that CHAN remains “a key part of our strategy to make African football more appealing to fans, sponsors, and global broadcasters.”
The upcoming edition, officially titled CAF African Nations Championship Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda 2024, will be the first to be co-hosted by three countries.
Scheduled to take place from August 2 to 30, 2025, the tournament will feature top teams such as defending champions Senegal, record holders Morocco and DR Congo, as well as Nigeria, Algeria, Guinea, and Zambia.
For Nigeria, the tournament presents a golden opportunity. The Super Eagles are making a return to CHAN after missing the last edition, having secured qualification with a 3–1 aggregate victory over rivals Ghana.
Led by Coach Eric Chelle, the team will be chasing their first-ever CHAN title, aiming to build on their best performance as runners-up in 2018 and translate domestic potential into continental success.