Ivory Coast is celebrating today its victory last night with a 2-1 score against Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, which the country hosted. This marked the third AFCON title in the nation's history, and President Alassane Ouattara declared Monday a national holiday in honor of the achievement.

"We are African champions! What joy! Bravo, bravo, bravo to our Elephants (the nickname for the Ivorian team)!" Ouattara posted late Sunday on his X social media account.

"Thank you for this third star offered to the nation! We are proud of you," added the head of state, who presented the trophy to the champions at the stadium named after him in Abidjan, the country's economic capital, which hosted the final.

Later, in an announcement on Ivorian TV channel RTI 1, Ouattara declared today a public holiday, non-working, and paid following the team's victory.

The Ivorian government's official X account also posted today that "in the skies of African football, we can now admire the three stars shining over Ivory Coast."

The African Union (AU) also celebrated the Elephants' victory against Nigeria, known as the Super Eagles. "Thank you Ivory Coast. Congratulations," stated the pan-African organization based in Addis Ababa.

The renowned Ivorian ex-footballer Didier Drogba, who never won any trophies with the Elephants, also celebrated the triumph, even jumping onto the field to celebrate with the players.

"This victory is for the players who fought so bravely for our great nation. And it is for all Ivorians who never stopped believing," declared Drogba, the national team's all-time top scorer, to local media after the match.

Fans rallied behind their team, and social media overflowed with messages of support and videos showing Ivorians celebrating the victory in the country's streets.

Ivory Coast secured the championship in a tournament filled with setbacks and uncertainties, including a mid-tournament coaching change and a poor performance in the group stage, advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.

Led by the talent of Simon Adingra, who provided the two assists, and the contributions of former Barcelona player Frank Kessie and Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastian Haller, who returned to the pitch a year ago after overcoming testicular cancer, Ivory Coast clinched the title in their fifth final appearance.

The country previously won AFCON in 1992 and 2015, and lost in the finals in 2006 and 2012. Ivory Coast now stands alongside Nigeria, which also boasts three AFCON trophies in its history.