Cote d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Outtara has lavished praise and rewards on the national football team as he gifts each player €76,000 for winning the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in home soil.
The Elephants defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the final on Sunday. This was their third AFCON title, and their first since 2015.
President Outtara hosted a reception for the players, the coach, and the technical staff at the presidential palace in Abidjan on Tuesday. He congratulated them for bringing joy and pride to the nation, and announced generous gifts for their achievement.
Each player received €76,000 (about 50 million CFA francs) as a bonus, while the coach, Emerse Fae, got €150,000 (about 98 million CFA francs) and a €150,000 villa in a prestigious area of the city. The technical team also received €600,000 (about 393 million CFA francs) to share among themselves.
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The president also promised to build a modern football academy in the country, and to support the development of grassroots football. He urged the team to continue working hard and to aim for higher goals, such as the World Cup.
The players expressed their gratitude to the president and the people of Cote d’Ivoire for their support and encouragement. They dedicated their victory to the memory of their former teammate, Cheick Tiote, who died in 2017.
The team was also greeted by thousands of fans who lined the streets of Abidjan to celebrate their triumph. The players waved the national flag and sang the national anthem as they paraded on an open-top bus.
The AFCON victory has boosted the morale and confidence of the Ivorian people, who have faced political and social challenges in recent years. The president said he hoped the success of the team would inspire unity and peace in the country.#Outtara