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Aron Wright - February 6, 2024
Every other year, Africa hosts different types of football tournaments. But when it comes to prestige and pomp, the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) beats them hands down.
This iconic tournament, which involves 24 teams across the African content, takes place every two years and usually brings together people from all walks of life. That ranges from avid football fans who support their teams with unparalleled passion to dedicated bettors.
In fact, unlike other tournaments, AFCON stands out as the only competition that can be tricky to predict. Any other team can win the match, and it doesn’t matter who is playing against whom.
For those interested in sports analysis, understanding the AFCON odds breakdown provides valuable insights into the event’s dynamics.
But why is AFCON considered Africa’s most prestigious and beloved football competition? Let’s find out.
AFCON has a rich history. The first tournament was held in early 1957 in Sudan. Since then, footballers and fans have enjoyed 34 exhilarating AFCON editions and hundreds of exceptional matches.
Besides its rich history, AFCON is considered the best tournament in The Motherland because every edition features a wild display of traditions and cultures. AFCON tournaments are hosted in different nations, allowing diverse people and communities to showcase their cultures and traditions.
Courtesy of outstanding platforms like DSTV, AFCON is broadcast all over the globe. Each event is often watchable from hundreds of countries, both in Africa and the world at large. And the fans never disappoint. In 2019 alone, beIN SPORTS reported 800 million AFCON viewers.
But why does AFCON enjoy this much global attention? It is about the readily available worldwide broadcasting and media coverage. The other is the pride that football fans from different countries across the globe bestow on their national teams.
The African continent boasts over 50 national teams, but not all participate in AFCON. Most get disqualified in knockout stages, where competition is fierce and only the best teams advance. In the end, only 24 qualified national teams play AFCON matches.
Ideally, AFCON tournaments bring together the most outstanding African football teams. Participants feature exceptional footballers with the knowledge and skills needed to play next-level football.
AFCON winners often walk away with mouth-watering prizes. Take the AFCON 2023 tournament as an example. This event boasts a prize pool worth $14.8 million. And according to reports, the winner will walk away with a whopping $7 million.
The individual team prizes and overall pool afforded by AFCON surpass what every other tournament on this continent offers. For instance, the CAF Champions League only provides an award of around $4 million, a fraction of AFCON’s pot of gold.
Many of the best international clubs have famed African players in their roster. Liverpool has Mohammed Salah, All-Nassr boasts Sadio Mane and many more.
Considering that, most of these stars often participate in AFCON tournaments. This further encourages people from across the globe to tune in and cheer for national teams where their favorite club players belong.
AFCON is the most prestigious and celebrated football tournament in Africa. Many people love it for its history and tradition. Plus, it brings together many football stars and exceptional teams, all fighting for the lifetime prize money of biblical proportions.
If you have yet to start watching AFCON games, dive in today. And if you don’t have access to a TV, don’t worry. You can stream live matches from any corner of the globe using your smartphone or laptop.
