Tomiwa Babalola
Côte d’Ivoire president, Alassane Ouattara, congratulated the Ivorian national team that won the 30th edition of the African Cup of Nations, which was concluded on Sunday at Equitorial Guinea.
Ivory Coast became the African champions after beating Ghana in a penalty shootout, after the normal regulations and extra time ended goalless, before the Elephants won 9-8 to lift the title.
Meanwhile, the president has splashed over €3 million (
$3.4m) in bonuses to reward the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations winners for their heroic performances at the championship.
Coach Herve Renard, who won the 2012 edition with Zambia and three years after did the same with Ivory Coast was given a bonus of more than €114 000 ($129.000), while the team received a house worth €46 000 ($52 000) each. and also got the same amount "in cash", according to Sports Minister Alain Lobognon.
The Ivorian Football Federation were given €380 000 ($429 000), with the technical and administrative staff sharing €460 000 ($520 000), amounting to a total of €3million forked out by the head of state.
The entire squad were also conferred with the highest order of knights of the National Order.
"Thanks to you, Ivory Coast is once more united," said Ouattara, speaking at length of the sense of national unity the victory provided.
"You managed to rebuild a strong team working as one towards one goal - winning and winning more. It's a lesson in rallying people together," he said.
The Ivorian 'Elephants' have been seen as a uniting force in one of the world's poorest countries which is emerging from 10 years of political and military strife.
"We had been dreaming about that title for a quarter of a century! Now, the cup is here and, as they say, all things come in threes!" said Ouattara. Supersport
Côte d’Ivoire president splashes $3.4m on the Ivorian national team
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