President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast has announced that every player in his country’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023-winning squad will be awarded $82,000 (Ksh12.7M) following their victory.
In a Special State ceremony held on February 13,2024, the President also promised to reward every player with a villa worth the same amount ($82,000).
“You have brought happiness to all Ivorians, bravo, bravo,” President Ouattara said as he awarded them with the nation’s highest order.
On the other hand, the national team Coach Emerse Fae is set to receive a $164,000 (Ksh25.5M) reward.
The special State ceremony was also attended by the Ivorian President of the Constitutional Council, the Prime Minister and members of government.
Also, a total number of 34 people were decorated with the medal of Knight, while 3 were decorated with the distinctions of Commander.
12 others, among them Coach Emerson Fae, were decorated with distinctions as Officers.
The Elephants came from behind as goals from Frank Kessie and Sebastien Haller helped the team beat Nigeria to win the AFCON 2023 final on home soil.
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Ivory coast clinched their third continental title following a remarkable run to the final, which included the departure of coach Jean-Louis Gasset.
Louis was dismissed after two defeats in the group stage, which left the Ivorians depending on other final group matches to proceed as best losers.
Interim coach Emerse Fae then stepped up to mastermind the team’s passage through the knockout stages, which included dramatic victories over defending champions Senegal and Mali.
Ivory Coast lift title
Following the win, the team held a mega and electrifying AFCON trophy parade and presentation at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, in front of the thirty thousand spectators.
According to reports, the country spent more than $1bn (£0.79bn) on hosting the tournament and had invested a similar amount on improving infrastructure in the country.
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Following the AFCON 2023 final win, Ivory Coast took home $7 million (Ksh1.1 billion) set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as the winner’s prize money.
This was an increment from the previous $5 million set aside for the AFCON 2021 winner.
The Nigeria Super Eagles, who finished as the runners up, took home a whopping $4 million, a rise from the previous $2.5 million won by Egypt in the 2021 tournament in Cameroon.
The new prizes set for the various stages represented a rise compared to the previous tournaments.
Besides the prize money from the tournament’s organizer, the various national teams also received allowances from their respective governments.
