President Ouattara Thanks Toure and Company

"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.