Highlights: Ivory Coast won the African Cup of Nations on Sunday, for the third time in its history. It's a coronation for the players. It also marks a positive point for Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, whose government was under pressure to have all facilities ready on time. The president will receive the victorious players this Tuesday. Abidjan has been jubilant on Monday February 12 since the final whistle, the day before, which put an end to the victorious Ivorian epic at the CAN.

Ivory Coast won the African Cup of Nations on Sunday, for the third time in its history. It's a coronation for the players. This also marks a positive point for the Ivorian president,…

CAN 2024: the victory of the Elephants on their soil, a political gain for Alassane Ouattara

Ivory Coast won the African Cup of Nations on Sunday, for the third time in its history. It's a coronation for the players. It also marks a positive point for Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, whose government was under pressure to have all facilities ready on time. The president will receive the victorious players this Tuesday.

Abidjan has been jubilant on Monday February 12 since the final whistle, the day before, which put an end to the victorious Ivorian epic at the CAN. AFP - ISSOUF SANOGO

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Abidjan,

Bineta Diagne

The celebration continues in Ivory Coast after the Elephants' 2-1 victory against Nigeria on Sunday evening in the final of the 34th African Cup of Nations. A festive day, which ended with a concert at the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny stadium, where many Ivorians came to express their joy at being African champions. Earlier, yesterday afternoon, the players toured Abidjan, in a caravan, to present the trophy.

The winners parade in Abidjan, Monday February 12, 2024. AFP - SIA KAMBOU

It's 3 p.m. sharp, and the players appear in front of an excited audience. There are families there, simply curious people, and football fans, who have come to get a closer look at their star. Like Daouda, who immortalizes the scene on his phone: “

My favorite player is Adingra because he really wet the jersey, he gave himself for his first participation in the CAN. It was really great, he exploded everything, we are really happy with him.

Players stand on the back of a platform bus. Their vehicle moves slowly into the heart of the town of Cocody, then goes around the south of the city. Wearing orange caps and jerseys, many Ivorians walk alongside the procession. Like Karène, ready to brave the heatwave: “

We organized the most beautiful CAN and we are proud of them. We come to pay tribute to them, support them and accompany them to the Houphouët-Boigny stadium. We're going to walk a lot, it's a source of immense pride for us.

The public wants to salute the prowess of the Elephants, who have had

difficulty starting this competition

. “

Winning the CAN at home had not happened for eighteen years, in 2006 in Egypt,”

recalls Cédric.

This is a real achievement considering how the competition started. They showed tremendous self-sacrifice.

Also read CAN 2024: what to remember from 30 completely crazy days

A country in communion, political class included

After the popular festival last night, the Elephants will be received this Tuesday by the President, Alassane Ouattara, for a more solemn tribute.

The Ivorian president had promised to organize “

the most beautiful CAN in history

”. The challenge appears to have been met: no major incidents have been reported. The Ivorians experience moments of communion around the third star now attached to the national team jersey.

And unanimously, the political class is delighted with this victory. In a press release, Laurent Gbagbo’s PPA-CI welcomes “

a collective effort and a vibrant spirit of patriotism

”. For his part, Tidjane Thiam, the leader of the PDCI, notes that this victory is a “

lesson in resilience and determination

”. On this momentum, the president of this opposition party congratulates the authorities and in particular President Alassane Ouattara for the organization of this CAN.

The authorities have therefore managed to create unity around a common cause, football, at the same time eclipsing the debates raised at the beginning of January, following a report from the Court of Auditors, which points to problems

in revenues

linked to football. issuance of identity documents.

This is another achievement in the results that the presidential camp will display next year, during the electoral deadlines, since this CAN has made it possible to highlight the advanced state of infrastructure in the country.

Read alsoTHE GREAT GUEST AFRICA: Victory for Ivory Coast at CAN 2024: the waking dream of Éléphants coach Émerse Faé

CAN 2024: the victory of the Elephants on their soil, a political gain for Alassane Ouattara

CAN 2024: the victory of the Elephants on their soil, a political gain for Alassane Ouattara

A country in communion, political class included

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