AFCON finalists rewarded by their respective governments

Ivory Coast players and their coach Emerse Fae were given bonus payments and villas during a presidential ceremony on Tuesday to celebrate their Africa Cup of Nations victory as hosts.

The Elephants beat Nigeria 2-1 in Sunday's final to lift the continental crown for the third time.

Each member of the squad was given 50 million CFA francs ($82,152) and a villa of the same value.

Coach Fae received 100 million CFA francs for masterminding a remarkable turnaround after replacing the sacked Jean-Louis Gasset midway through the tournament following a 4-0 group-stage defeat by Equatorial Guinea.

"You have brought happiness to all Ivorians, bravo, bravo," said Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara.

The players were all also awarded the national order, the highest public distinction in the country.

Meanwhile, Nigeria's president awarded the national football team honours, plots of land and flats on Tuesday for reaching the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles lost 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast in Abidjan on Sunday, but President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he was proud of the side's resilience.

Each player in the national squad received the Member of the Order of the Niger, one of the country's highest honours, as well as a flat and a piece of land in the region around the capital.

AFCON 2023: Ivory Coast parade through Abidjan

Tinubu welcomed the returning team at the presidential villa in Abuja, saying he was proud of the side - even if it was tough to stomach the defeat.

"Let this passing event not dispirit us but bring us together to work harder," he said.

"To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow, do not relent in your pursuit.

"My administration is here to make dreams come true," he said.

Since coming to office last year, Tinubu has ended a fuel subsidy and currency controls, leading to a tripling of petrol prices and a spike in living costs as the naira slides sharply against the dollar.

Many Nigerians had hoped victory would bring some much-needed cheer as they struggle under the economic crisis.

There was so much excitement in the run-up to the match that the health ministry in Lagos issued advice to fans, warning them to "stay calm", take breaks, keep hydrated and "be prepared for emergencies".

AFCON 2023: Post-Match Analysis - Ivory Coast vs Nigeria

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