Super Eagles are set to be beneficiaries of a $2.5 million windfall should they overcome Angola.
The Super Eagles are poised for a showdown with Angola's Palancas Negras this Friday in a quarterfinal clash at the ongoing 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire and a jaw-dropping $2.5 million (about N2.24 billion) prize awaits the victors, as stipulated by the Confederation of African Football for any team advancing to the semifinals.
Having already secured $800,000 for progressing beyond the group stage, the Nigerian squad pumped up their coffers with an additional $1.3 million by vanquishing Cameroon to secure their spot in the quarterfinals.
Another triumph against Angola would guarantee them a minimum payday of USD 2.5 million, as both teams failing to advance beyond the semifinals will each receive this sum.
A Chance for Redemption and Remembrance
Yet, this match holds significance beyond the potential cash windfall and semifinal berth. For Nigerian fans and players alike, it's a chance for redemption and remembrance.
Angola's historic role in thwarting Nigeria's bid for the 2006 FIFA World Cup still lingers in memory, with the Super Eagles falling short after a narrow 1-0 loss in Luanda was followed by a tense 1-1 draw in Kano.
Moreover, the match carries emotional weight as Nigerian football enthusiasts recall the tragic passing of Eagles star Samuel Okwaraji during a 1990 World Cup qualifier against Angola.
While the allure of the $7 million prize for the AFCON winner and $4 million for the runner-up looms large, the Super Eagles are focused on the immediate task at hand: overcoming Angola and securing their path to AFCON glory.
Nigeria's game with Angola will be played at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan on Friday, February 2.
While the Palancas Negras are eyeing their first-ever semifinal appearance, Nigeria boasts a track record of reaching the semifinals in 15 out of their previous 19 appearances in the competition.
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