As we look forward to the 2023 AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire, www.aclsports.com through our Football Reporter Samuel Areo will via this section “AFCON Blues” bring you daily round-up on happenings in different camps of the teams and updates around the 34th edition of the continental showpiece.
CAF announce increase in AFCON Prize Money
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) announced a 40% increase in the Prize Money for the Winner of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire earlier today.
According to the CAF statement, the Winner of the AFCON will receive USD 7 000 000. The Runner-up of the TotalEnergies will now get USD 4 000 000. Each of the two semi-finalists will receive USD 2 500 000 and each of the four Quarter-finalists, USD 1 300 000.
The President of CAF Dr Patrice Motsepe said: “CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the Prize Money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions. We have increased the Prize Money of the AFCON Winner to USD 7 000 000 which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON Prize Money. I am confident that a portion of the Prize Money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our Member Associations with their administrations.”
Addo tells Ghana to start strong
Former Black Stars coach Otto Addo has shared his thoughts on the challenging nature of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) affirming that anything can happen on the grand stage in the 34th edition set to be hosted by Ivory Coast.
Otto, a former Ghanaian international, left his role as the Black Stars coach following a disappointing performance in the 2022 World Cup. He was speaking on GTV on the difficulty of teams at the AFCON, highlighting the absence of weak teams and the need for the Black Stars to start well.
“Everything is possible just as I said; it is very important to take it step by step. Nowadays there are no weak teams; everybody can defend, which makes it very difficult for Ghana,” said Addo.
“I think if Ghana starts to win in the group stage, anything is possible. It’s like I said, step-by-step, and it is a young team that comes together. It is not easy to put all the things together at these championships (AFCON); anything can happen,” Otto Addo added.
“There’s no weak team anymore. You have to earn your wins very hard. Once we get a good start, it makes the following games easier,” he concluded.
Ghana, who are placed in Group B alongside Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique, will need a strong showing at the continental showpiece if they are to claim record success at this level for the first time since 1982.
This rounds up AFCON Blues for today, see you tomorrow.
