Super Falcons set sights on WAFCON title as CAF unveils historic prize increase for 2024. (Pic: Theguardian)
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a major raise in the WAFCON prize money ahead of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, offering the tournament winners a landmark $1 million reward—up from the $500,000 awarded in 2022.
This 45 percent increase takes the total prize pool to $3.475 million, reaffirming CAF’s pledge to develop women’s football across Africa.
The new distribution will see even the quarter-finalists each walk away with $200,000, matching what past winners once earned.
Super Falcons among favorites to claim record prize money
The Super Falcons of Nigeria, nine-time champions of WAFCON, are viewed as top contenders for the upgraded cash prize.
Their 2018 championship win earned them just $200,000—a figure now awarded to quarter-final teams under the new prize structure.
The breakdown of the 2024 WAFCON prize allocation is as follows: Winners – $1,000,000; Runners-up – $500,000; Third Place – $350,000; Fourth Place – $300,000; Quarter-finalists – $200,000; Third in Group – $150,000; and Fourth in Group – $125,000.
CAF pushes women’s game forward with structural investments
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the enhanced WAFCON prize money is part of broader efforts to drive equity and performance in the women’s game.
He noted that the raise would help improve player compensation and encourage continued growth in grassroots and elite competitions alike.
“The standard of African women’s football is improving and attracting growing interest from fans, sponsors, and broadcasters,” Motsepe said, linking the progress to the success of initiatives like the CAF Women’s Champions League and the African Schools Football Championship.
The 2022 edition of WAFCON, also hosted by Morocco, saw over 45,000 fans attend the semi-final between Nigeria and the host nation—setting an African record for women’s football. South Africa claimed that year’s title and the then-record $500,000 prize.
WAFCON prize boost linked to FIFA World Cup qualification
Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, and Zambia all qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup following their strong WAFCON performances. The CAF believes the new prize structure will further drive motivation and quality in future competitions.
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CAF’s increase in the WAFCON prize money aims to raise the profile of the tournament and ensure that African women’s football continues to grow in competitiveness and visibility on the global stage.
