WAFCON 2024: Super Falcons eye over ₦1.5 billion as CAF doubles winner’s prize money

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a massive increase in prize money for the upcoming 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) set to kick off in Morocco.

The decision is a major boost for Nigeria’s Super Falcons, who will now be competing for a staggering USD 1 million (over ₦1.5 billion) as tournament winners.

CAF revealed that the total prize pool for the tournament has been increased by 45%, rising to an impressive USD 3.475 million—a clear signal of the organisation’s commitment to the rapid growth of women’s football across the continent.

“CAF is continuing with its commitment to the development and growth of Women’s Football in Africa,” said CAF President Patrice Motsepe. “The 100% increase in the Prize Money of the Winner of the WAFCON Morocco 2024 and the 45% total increase in the Prize Money of this Competition should contribute to the increase of the salaries of Women Football players, coaches and employees.”

He added: “The quality and standard of Women’s Football in Africa is consistently improving and is world-class. We are excited about the substantial increase in the number of fans, broadcasting viewers, and sponsors in WAFCON Morocco 2024. This competition is going to be enormously successful.”

Winner: USD 1,000,000

Runner-up: USD 500,000

Third Place: USD 350,000

Fourth Place: USD 300,000

Quarter-finalists (4 Teams): USD 200,000 each

Third in Group Stage: USD 150,000

Fourth in Group (3 Teams): USD 125,000 each

Total Prize Pool: USD 3,475,000

From ambition to action

This increase is not an isolated gesture but part of a broader vision under CAF’s 2021–2025 Women’s Football Action Plan, launched during the 44th Ordinary General Assembly in Tanzania.

At its core, the initiative aims to empower women and girls through football at all levels.

“It is a commitment to the women who play the game, to the young girls who dream of a football career, and to all those who invest in the promotion and advancement of African women’s football,” Mr Motsepe stated during the unveiling of the plan.

This follows a 150% increase in WAFCON prize money in 2022, when the pot rose from USD 975,000 to USD 2.4 million.

CAF has also channelled investment into the CAF Women’s Champions League and grassroots football, including the African Schools Football Championship, which awards equal prizes to both girls and boys.

WAFCON 2022: A record-breaking tournament

Hosted by Morocco—the first North African country to do so—the 2022 WAFCON introduced an expanded 12-team format and shattered attendance records.

The semi-final clash between Nigeria and the host nation drew a staggering 45,562 fans at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

In that edition, South Africa lifted their first-ever WAFCON title by defeating Morocco 2–1 in the final, pocketing USD 500,000—a sum that will now go to the 2024 runners-up. Nigeria, alongside South Africa, Morocco, and Zambia, also qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, marking a new era of African representation on the global stage.

Nigeria’s legacy and the road ahead

The Super Falcons remain the most successful team in WAFCON history, with nine titles, including their dramatic 4–3 penalty shootout victory over South Africa in 2018.

That year, Nigeria took home USD 200,000—an amount now offered to quarter-finalists in the revamped 2024 structure.

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Nigeria’s win in 2018 also earned them a place at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they reached the round of 16.

The triumph solidified their place as Africa’s top women’s football powerhouse, both on and off the field.

A new era of opportunity

With richer rewards, heightened visibility, and a continent hungry for change, WAFCON Morocco 2024 is shaping up to be a groundbreaking edition.

From the players on the pitch to the millions watching at home, the message is loud and clear: African women’s football is on the rise—and it’s here to stay.

And for Nigeria’s Super Falcons, the target is clear—not just glory, but history and a payday worthy of their pedigree.