Gbagbo honours U-20 World Cup champions

Ivorian President, Laurent Gbagbo, on Monday awarded medals to Ghana's U-20 national football team that won the World Cup on 16 October in Cairo.

The Ivorian head of state thus fulfilled the promise he made on 4 November during an official 48-hour visit to Ghana.

Before a panel of Ivorian and Ghanaian diplomatic and sporting figures at the Presidential Palace, President Gbagbo welcomed the Ghanaian delegation led by the Youth and Sports Minister, Rashid Pelpuo.

The ceremony started with awards to the presidents of the African continent's fo otball associations, including countries that have qualified for the 2010 World Cup 2010 to be played next June in South Africa.

These are the presidents of the football associations of Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria, Algeria.

Members of the Ghanaian delegation, players and supervisors were made knights of the Ivorian national order.

"I am happy to see this young team because our days are slipping away. This is indeed an African integration ceremony. I am fighting hard so that Africa will not be trampled upon. I want Africa to be among world leaders. Such is the meaning of today's ceremony, " President Gbagbo said.

Ghana beat Brazil in the final game on penalties to win the trophy.