Sports
The evolution of Africa Cup of Nations prize money over the years
Senegal was ecstatic when Kalidou Koulibaly claimed the prized Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 2022.
After failing in 2019, the Teranga Lions finally succeeded, defeating Egypt’s Pharaohs on penalties and leaving Cameroon with a $5 million cash prize.
Another AFCON competition is on the horizon in two years. The winner’s reward money has increased significantly this time. The winning team will get $7 million, which is a 40% increase over the previous season.
But how does this statistic compare to the previous five editions?
Comparing 2023 figures to 2021
The AFCON runner-up in Ivory Coast will win $4 million, the two other semi-finalists will each receive $2.5 million, and the four other quarter-finalists will each receive $1.3 million.
These results total $21.3 million in prize money for teams finishing in the top eight.
Egypt won $2.75 million for placing second in Cameroon, while the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and Burkina Faso received $2.2 million for finishing in the semis.
Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, and Morocco each received $1.8 million after being eliminated in the quarter-finals. As a result, the top eight in the previous season received $19.35 million.
Aside from the increase in the winner’s prize money, the fall in earnings for quarter-finalist teams is notable.
Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, and Morocco would observe that reaching the tournament’s semi-finals is more gratifying now than it was previously.
Prize money for winners from 2013
Nigeria received $1.5 million in 2013 after winning the trophy for the third time in their history. Two years later, Ivory Coast received the same sum following a penalty shootout victory against Ghana.
Cameroon’s prize money increased by $2.5 million in 2017, bringing it to $4 million. Algeria received $4.5 million after defeating Senegal, and the Teranga Lions increased their earnings to $5 million in early 2022.
The winner will now get $7 million, an increase of more than 300% over 2013.
Ghana came closest to winning the most money within this time period in 2015, just losing to Ivory Coast.
Since then, the Black Stars have had to settle for semi-final finishes until 2019, when they were eliminated in the round of 16 by Tunisia, and 2021, when they suffered their worst-ever AFCON performance, failing to win any of their three group games.
The marker is presently in place. If they want to win it all, they must raise $7 million. The bragging rights that come with winning the trophy after 42 years of failure may be more enjoyable to Ghanaians.
The race has begun.
Sports
Veteran Sports Commentator Joe Lartey dies at 96
The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has reported the death of Joe Lartey, a veteran Ghanaian football pundit and sports writer.
He passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the age of 96.
Joe Lartey was born on June 6, 1927, in Accra and attended Accra Academy. Lartey, often known as “Over to You,” was a well-known broadcaster and SWAG’s founding president.
Lartey began his media career as a football commentator with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in 1961.
He grew to be a popular figure in Ghana’s sports community.
He subsequently spent a decade at Radio Nigeria before returning to GBC in 1990. During his stint, he presented shows including Sports Digest on GTV.
In appreciation of his achievements in sports journalism, Lartey received the coveted “A Life in Sport” award from the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) during the AIPS Sport Media Awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar, in June 2022.
Lartey’s impact stretched well beyond Ghana, with numerous Ghanaian football analysts praising him for moulding their careers.
Fans and colleagues alike will remember him warmly for his pioneering work in sports broadcasting.
Sports
Xavi to stay as Barcelona’s coach until at least June 2025
Barcelona coach Xavi will stay with the club until at least the end of his contract in June 2025, having changed his mind about this being his final season.
The 44-year-old stated in January that he will stand down as manager this summer.
However, with president Joan Laporta desperate for him to stay, the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder has made a U-turn.
Xavi took over as manager of Barcelona in November 2021, after leaving Qatari club Al Sadd, and led the team to the Spanish title in his first full season in charge in 2022–23.
However, they are 11 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid with six games remaining in the current season.
Barcelona were eliminated from the Champions League last week after losing to PSG in the quarterfinals.
Xavi, who won 25 honours during his brilliant playing career at Barcelona, said he felt “liberated” with the revelation that he would leave the position at the conclusion of the season.
When he announced his departure following the defeat to Villarreal, he felt he was not being safeguarded by the club and there was no clear direction.
However, the team’s fortunes have improved since Xavi felt comfortable taking a more casual attitude.
They went ten games undefeated in the league before falling 3-2 to Real Madrid on Sunday.
On Wednesday, there was a meeting at Laporta’s residence, and the club’s desire for him to stay was clear.
If Xavi is unable to strengthen the squad before the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Barcelona will attempt to persuade one of the high-profile managers out of contract, including Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and Mikel Arteta.
Sports
Zinedine Zidane to join Bayern Munich at the end of season
According to Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane is “one step away” from taking over as head coach of Champions League semifinalist Bayern Munich.
According to anonymous sources “familiar with the talks” between Bayern and Zidane, negotiations are “practically done” to the point that the Frenchman has already requested additional additions.
Zidane has been out of a job since he left Madrid as manager for the second time, in 2021.
He just returned to the Bernabeu in some form, playing a legends match against Porto last month, and explained his departure from the Spanish capital, paving the door for current manager Carlo Ancelotti to take over.
In recent weeks, Zidane has been extensively connected with a return to management, with Bayern Munich being mentioned as a possible next destination.
The Bavarians and Thomas Tuchel have already agreed to split ways on June 30, and Xabi Alonso, a prospective replacement, was removed from the table when the Spaniard renewed his contract with Bayern’s Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen.
During a tremendously spectacular campaign in which his club went undefeated, Bayern and Real Madrid icon Alonso won Bayer’s first German championship, ending Bayern’s 11-year supremacy.
In 2024/2025, it appears that Zidane will be the guy in charge of restoring Bayern to their domestic league dominance.
This is because, according to Mundo Deportivo, Zidane is only “one step away” from manning their bench, a formal signing away.
The former Ballon d’Or winner and Julian Nagelsmann were in a two-horse race for the Allianz position, but Nagelsmann renewed his contract with the German national team until after the 2026 World Cup, ending the contest sooner than planned.
MD talked with unnamed people “familiar with the talks” between Bayern and Zidane, and while nothing has been inked, they are “practically done”.
Zidane has allegedly requested reinforcements throughout a team in need of a facelift, with a particular emphasis on defence.
This is one area where Zidane may lose Alphonso Davies, a well-known Madrid target, this summer.
The Canadian’s contract does not expire until 2025, so he might stay for at least one season before moving to the Spanish capital on a free transfer.
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