The Ivory Coast national football team has emerged as the champions of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, taking home a staggering $7 million as prize money.
The Elephants secured a 2-1 victory in the final against Nigeria on Sunday night at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé, coming from a goal down to claim their third AFCON title.
William Troost-Ekong opened the scoring for the Super Eagles, but goals from Franck Kessie and Sebastien Haller in the second half sealed the win for the host nation.
This victory marked the first time in Ivory Coast’s history that they have clinched the AFCON trophy, winning the gold medal and claiming the revised prize money announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ahead of the tournament, which saw a 40% increase in the prize money for the winner.
Following their second-place finish, Nigeria will also pocket a substantial $4 million in prize money.
Meanwhile, South Africa, who finished third, and DR Congo, who finished fourth, will each receive $2.5 million in prize money, while the teams who were eliminated in the quarterfinals will receive $1.3 million each.
