Oluwashina Okeleji BBC Sport, Lagos

The Golden Eaglets have won the under-17 World Cup three times

Nigeria president Umaru Yar'Adua has rewarded players of the country's under-17 team with a three-bedroom house each for winning the World Cup.

The Golden Eaglets won their third under-17 world title last Sunday after beating Spain 3-0 on penalties in South Korea

The players were also decorated with the Member of the Order of the Niger, one of Nigeria's highest honours.

Team officials received the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic medal, another important award in the country.

"It's just a mark of appreciation from the good people of Nigeria," Yar'Adua said during a state reception in the country's capital Abuja on Saturday.

"Words cannot express the gratitude of the Nigerian people but we are grateful for your achievement and success."

Unlike previous presidential gifts, the certificate of occupancy and necessary documents to the houses in Abuja were instantly given out to the team.

The award to the Golden Eaglets is the fourth given to a football team by the democratic government since the country returned to civilian rule in 1999.

Nigeria's under-20 team the Flying Eagles received monetary gifts for winning the African Youth Championship in 2005.

The Super Falcons, the country's female national team, were also given cash rewards for their annexing of the African Women's Championship title in 2004 and 2006.