The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has increased the prize money for the winner of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to $4m.
The 2017 winner of the competition will receive $4m as against the previous prize money of $1.5m, a significant 166 per cent increase.
The increase is due to the new deal the football governing body reached with French multinational oil group Total in July which allowed the petroleum giant to take over the sponsorship of all 10 events run by the governing body.
The deal signed on July 21 also sees other participating teams receiving more prize money. The runners up will now receive $2 million, a 100 percent increase; semi-finalists bag $1.5m, up from $750,000, and quarter-finalists pocket $800,000, $200,000 more than in the past.
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
Sad to think Nigeria will not be there to compete.