According to Soccernet.ng, Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has revealed the incredible financial success of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Earlier this year, the 2023 AFCON took the stage in Cote d'Ivoire, captivating spectators around the globe with an abundance of goals.
In 52 games played at six locations in five Ivorian towns, twenty-four countries fought for the top spot in Africa; the hosts, Cote d'Ivoire, emerged victorious in the end.
The AFCON was the most memorable in recent memory, with a record-breaking 119 goals scored. Several excellent referee calls, unexpected upsets, incredible comebacks, and intense late-game drama were interspersed throughout the tournament.
Nonetheless, CAF president Motsepe has disclosed that the AFCON's success extended beyond expectations.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns chairman revealed a staggering variety of commercial accomplishments, including the fact that during the 2023 AFCON, CAF collaborated with 17 sponsors—a tenfold increase from prior editions—and had alliances with 110 broadcast networks.
The financial gain from this edition reached levels that were previously unimaginable, according to CAF reports.
Surpassing the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon by 26% in commercial revenue meant that the coffers were overflowing at every point, with an astounding $80 million in revenues.
To put things in perspective, the $4 million that was won in prior seasons is insignificant in comparison to this enormous sum.
Motsepe celebrated this extraordinary achievement and emphasised how it will revolutionise the financial situation of African football.
The AFCON held in Côte d'Ivoire has yielded the highest profits to date. We've earned more than $80 million. That is the income. In contrast to previous editions, we earned about $4 million. In an interview with France 24, Motsepe stated, "So we've jumped to $80 million, and a huge chunk of that money is going to the 54 countries for football development."
Nigeria's role in the success of AFCON 2023
Notwithstanding the absence of several important players, the Super Eagles produced a number of composed performances to advance to the 2024 AFCON final.
Nigeria defeated Guinea-Bissau and the host, Cote d'Ivoire, while drawing Equatorial Guinea to take first place in Group A.
For the first time in almost a decade, the three-time African champions advanced to the championship match by defeating longtime rivals Cameroon, Angola, and South Africa in the knockout stages.
However, following a 2-1 defeat to the Ivorians in the tournament match, the Super Eagles had to make do with the silver medal.
Eight of the 119 goals scored in the AFCON came from the continent's vice-champions; only Senegal, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea scored more (9 goals each).
Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong, who scored three goals to be among the top goal scorers, was also the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Ademola Lookman, Ola Aina, and Troost-Ekong were all represented on the official tournament team in equal measure.