The Super Eagles will earn $2.5 million if they win against Angola.The Super Eagles will face Angola’s Palancas Negras this Friday in the quarter-finals of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, which is being held in Ivory Coast. A staggering prize of $2.5 million (approximately 2.24 billion naira) awaits. The winner of each team that advanced to the semi-finals. decided by the Confederation of African Football.
Nigeria, who had already secured $800,000 to advance through the group stage, added another $1.3 million to their coffers by defeating Cameroon to advance to the quarter-finals.
Another win against Angola would guarantee a minimum wage of $2.5 million, and both teams that don’t advance past the semi-finals will each receive that amount.
A Chance for Redemption and Memories
But there’s more to this match than the prize money and the possibility of making it to the semi-finals. For both Nigerian fans and players, this is a chance for redemption and remembrance.
Angola’s historic role in preventing Nigeria from qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup continues as the Super Eagles lost 1-0 in Luanda and were eliminated after a thrilling 1-1 draw in Kano. It remains in my memory.
Additionally, the match has emotional significance as Nigerian football lovers remember the tragic death of Eagles star Samuel Okwaraji in the 1990 World Cup qualifier against Angola.
Although the lure of his $7 million prize for the AFCON winner and his $4 million prize for the runner-up is great, the super Eagles beat Angola to secure their path to AFCON glory. We are concentrating on the immediate task of doing so.
The match between Nigeria and Angola will be held on Friday, February 2nd at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.
Palancas Negras wait to reach the semi-finals for the first time in their history, while Nigeria boasts a track record of reaching the semi-finals in 15 of the last 19 appearances in the tournament.
