Let the games begin

 The winner of the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which kicks off today, will get a whopping $5 million (about K4.12 billion).

This follows a resolution by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to increase the prize money.

Malawi Flames are among 24 countries that will compete for the ultimate prize and captain Limbikani Mzava has described it

as a motivation.

The winner’s purse has been increased by $500 000 (about K412.5 million) as it was previously at $4.5 million (about K3.7 billion).

The runners-up will cart home $2.75 million (about K226.9 billion), translating to a $250 000 (about K206.2 million).

Semi-finalists will get $2.2 million (about K1.8 billion) each while quarter-finalists will each receive $1.175 million (about K969.4 million) increase.

Mzava said in an interview yesterday that while they are minnows, they are prepared to give it a fight.

He said: “The increase of the prize money is good news and a timely motivation to the teams and while we are underdogs, we will fight.

“We earned our place and we will give it a fight and see where it takes us to.”

Algeria’s Desert Foxes are the defending champions after beating Senegal’s Teranga Lions in the 2019 edition final 1-0.

Hosts Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions face Burkina Faso’s Stallions in the opening match this evening in a Group A contest while the Flames will face Guinea’s Syli Nationale on Monday in their first Group B fixture.

Malawi’s next fixture will be against Zimbabwe’s Warriors on January 14 before taking on Senegal on January 18 in their last group fixture