The Nigeria Super Eagles may not have secured the championship title, but the financial outlook is positive as they are set to receive N5.9 billion ($4 million) as the runner-up prize money.
Despite their 2-1 defeat to the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, in the Africa Cup of Nations final at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium during the 34th edition of the tournament, the financial reward is noteworthy.
According to the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), the winner, Cote d’Ivoire, will be awarded $7 million for their triumph in the TotalEnergies AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023.
The Super Eagles were gunning for a fourth AFCON title, while the Elephants earned their third title, having only won in 1992 and 2015.
Both teams advanced from Group A, with Equatorial Guinea topping the table with a joint seven points and three goals difference. However, the Elephants made it out as the fourth third-place team.
Cote d’Ivoire clinched its third African title in a comeback at the packed Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.
Although the Super Eagles took an early lead with a goal from William Ekong, Franck Kessie’s equalizer and a late strike from Sebastian Haller secured the victory for the Elephants.
Despite facing adversity in the group stages, Cote d’Ivoire, led by interim boss Emerse Fae, staged a turnaround to claim the championship.
Haller’s winning goal changed the tune of the game at the ninth minute bringing the AFCON 2023 cup back to the home country. Overall, it was a good run for both Nigeria and the Ivory Coast.
