Warriors Guaranteed US$500 000 at AFCON 2025

Zimbabwe’s senior men’s national football team, the Warriors, are guaranteed a minimum of US$500 000 in prize money at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Morocco, following confirmation of the tournament’s prize structure by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

CAF has set aside a total US$32 million prize pool for the continental showpiece, with every team assured of half a million dollars for participation, regardless of results.

Zimbabwe, captained by Marvelous Nakamba, will earn US$500 000 if they finish fourth in their group. A third-place finish would increase the payout to US$700 000, while qualification for the round of 16 carries a reward of US$800 000.

Progressing beyond the group stages would mark a historic achievement for the Warriors, who have not advanced past the opening round since making their AFCON debut in Tunisia in 2004.

CAF’s financial incentives rise sharply in the knockout stages. Teams reaching the quarter-finals will receive US$1.3 million, semi-finalists US$2.5 million, while the tournament champions will pocket US$7 million. The runners-up are set to earn US$4 million.

Beyond the financial stakes, Zimbabwe’s AFCON campaign has also been bolstered by developments within the technical team. James Makoni (27) has earned another call-up as part of the Warriors’ performance analysis unit, underlining the team’s growing emphasis on data-driven preparation.

Makoni, who works with Gulf United in the United Arab Emirates, said representing the national team remains a career highlight.

“It is always an honour to serve Zimbabwe. From the first qualifier to AFCON in Morocco, the goal has been to operate at the highest level,” Makoni said.

Zimbabwe previously operated without a full-time performance analyst before his appointment, a gap that has since been addressed as the team aligns itself with modern high-performance standards. Makoni has previously worked with MK Dons’ junior structures in the United Kingdom and is understood to have attracted interest from European clubs.

As the Warriors intensify preparations in camp ahead of Sunday’s kickoff, the confirmed prize money underscores the scale of both the sporting and financial stakes awaiting Zimbabwe at AFCON 2025 — a tournament that could redefine the nation’s continental football record.