AFCON winners to receive record $7 million prize

It is 40 percent more than what Senegal pocketed for winning the last edition, in Cameroon two years ago.

The runners-up in the Ivory Coast, who host the premier African football tournament from January 13 to February 11, will receive four million dollars.

Losing semi-finalists get $2.5 million each and quarter-finalists 1.3 million each, according to the statement, which gave no other prize money details.

Hosts Ivory Coast and 23 other countries, including record seven-time champions Egypt, will be challenging for glory in the west African nation.

Two-time champions Ivory Coast play Guinea-Bissau, without a win in three previous appearances, on January 13 in the tournament opener at the 60,000-seater Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.