$55K bonus looms for Senegal

Dakar - Senegal President Macky Sall has promised his country's players a bonus of about $55,000 each if they win their first African Cup title.

Sall also promised players other undisclosed bonuses for winning games at the tournament in Equatorial Guinea, which starts January 17.

Senegal is one of only three African nations to make the World Cup quarterfinals but has never won the continental championship, losing in a penalty shootout to Cameroon in the 2002 final in its best result.

Bonuses promised to players will come under scrutiny at the African Cup after three teams — Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria — had their World Cup campaigns last year marred by disputes between players and officials over payments.

Senegal captain Bouna Coundoul says "we will do our best to get good results."