As the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) draws closer, attention now turns to the 19 teams preparing to compete, Kenya’s Harambee Stars included.
The national team is aiming for a deep run in the competition, but they’ve been drawn into a challenging group that includes continental heavyweights such as Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia.
Kenya secured their spot in the tournament by virtue of being co-hosts, sharing the hosting rights with Uganda and Tanzania.
All 19 participating nations are set to benefit from a significant financial boost, thanks to a major increase in prize money announced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
CAF has raised the total prize pool by 75 percent, allocating $10.4 million (approximately Ksh1.34 billion) to be shared among the teams.
Each team is assured of a minimum of $200,000 (around Ksh26 million), which will go to the countries that finish at the bottom of groups containing four or five teams.
Kenya is placed in one of the five-team groups, and even if they fail to register a single win and end up last in Group A, they will still receive Ksh26 million.
However, if they manage to finish fourth or better, their earnings will increase to $300,000 (Ksh38.7 million), with further rewards available the further they progress in the tournament.
Reaching the quarter-finals will earn a team $450,000 (Ksh58 million), while making it to the semi-finals guarantees even more.
The eventual champions of CHAN 2024 will walk away with a hefty $3.5 million (Ksh451 million), the runners-up will claim $1.2 million (Ksh155 million), while the third and fourth-placed teams will receive $700,000 (Ksh90 million) and $600,000 (Ksh77 million) respectively.