ABIDJAN — Players and managers of the Cote d’Ivoire national football team received recognition of distinctions and donations on Tuesday in Abidjan after winning the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
During a ceremony at the presidential palace, in the presence of President Alassane Ouattara, the players and managers were distinguished in the National Order of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire.
A total of four were elevated to the rank of Commander, 12 to the rank of Officer and 34 to the rank of Knight.
On behalf of President Ouattara, Prime Minister Robert Beugre Mambe announced a villa worth 50 million CFA francs and the sum of 50 million CFA francs (83,000 U.S. dollars) for each of the 27 selected players for the competition.
To the technical management, the Prime Minister announced a total sum of 400 million CFA francs (667,000 dollars) while coach Emerse Fae earned 100 million CFA francs (167,000 dollars).
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), the governing body of football in Cote d’Ivoire, received a reward of 300 million CFA francs (500,000 dollars).
“You deserve this recognition,” the Ivorian president declared to the players and their supervisors, congratulating them on this medal which, according to him, brought “happiness to all Ivorians.”
“Cote d’Ivoire is champion of Africa thanks to you, bravo to each of you,” continued Alassane Ouattara.
He said he was “proud” of the players and manager of the national team, saluting them for having “succeeded in uniting the Ivorians as one people” with their victory at AFCON 2023.
With a 2-1 victory over Nigeria on Sunday, Cote d’Ivoire won the AFCON for a third time after having previously triumphed in 1992 and 2015. A huge crowd came out to greet the African champions during a parade in the streets of Abidjan before a giant concert at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny stadium. ■
Cote d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara (1st R) speaks during a ceremony awarding the Cote d’Ivoire national football team at the Presidential Palace in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, Feb. 13, 2024. Cote d’Ivoire won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Sunday in Abidjan, beating Nigeria 2-1 in the final.
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