Super Eagles to Pocket N272m from Confed Cup Outing

For participating as Africa’s representatives at the on-going 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brasil the Super Eagles of Nigeria will pocket a minimum of $1.7m (about N272m). The Confederations Cup is a competition for all the winners of the World and the continental cups – Oceania, Africa, Asia, Europe, South America and North America. Brasil qualifies as host while Italy qualifies as Euro 2012 beaten finalist. Spain had won Italy 4-0, but had already booked its participation as World Champions in 2010. This is Nigeria’s second appearance in the competition – the Super Eagles made their debut in 1995 as Africa’s representatives after winning the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia. The sum of $20 million has also been put forward by FIFA in total prize money to be shared among the eight teams playing in the World Cup dress rehearsal. The winner will go home with $4.1 million, beaten finalist $3.6 million, 3rd pockets $3 million and the 4th placed team gets $2.5 million. The competition serves not only as a test run for the eventual participants, but most importantly serves as a trial for the eventual organization of the World cup proper the following year. Teams get to try out the facilities, transportation, stadia, pitches, climatic conditions, hotels etc., and it gives FIFA a perfect opportunity to scientifically study logistics and timing on hand. The first edition was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and was tagged the King Fahd Cup in 1992. FIFA took over the organisation and planning of the competition in 1997 and it has become a major event held every 4years since 2005. Brasil, Italy, Spain, Uruguay, Mexico, Nigeria, Japan and Tahiti will fight for the coveted prize money.