Ivory Coast presidency has announced that every player in Ivory Coast’s winning squad will pocket $82,000 (£65,000) and get a villa worth a similar amount.
“You have brought happiness to all Ivorians, bravo, bravo,” said President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast.
On his part, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has awarded the prestigious national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) to the Super Eagles for their remarkable performance in the just concluded 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in which they won the silver medal.
President Tinubu on Tuesday honoured the entire Super Eagles team and officials with the MON award at a ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
They are to also receive a flat each, with the location yet to be announced.
It is not clear what cash payment Nigeria’s players are to receive from the state purse.
President Tinubu, who received the National Football team, expressed pride in the contingent, acknowledging their role in fostering unity within the country through the game of football which is a binding force in Nigeria.
He encouraged them to hold their heads high and maintain team spirit despite finishing second.
William Troost Ekong, the team’s vice-captain and most valuable player, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his support, but wished they came to present a trophy rather than silver medals.
Third-placed South Africa are also set to receive about $52,000 per player, according to local media.
Nevertheless, all of the perks listed above are in addition to the usual prize money doled out by the Africa Cup of Nations, which was reported to have been boosted by 40% since the last tournament.
It therefore implies that winners Ivory Coast get $7m, runners-up Nigeria get $4m, semi-finalist South Africa and DR Congo each get $2.5m, while the four teams who made the quarter-finals take home $1.3m each.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations enjoyed the highest viewing numbers in its 67-year history – thanks to bigger broadcasting and commercial deals, and social media buzz. Almost two billion people were reported to have watched worldwide.
