The 3rd edition of the Orange African Nations Championship is underway in South Africa and ends on 1st of February 2014.
16 teams have and are parting in this tournament where each has a nick name given to them several years back.
There are great deals of creativity and meaning amongst the many nicknames used on each team there, with fans developing a love for the brand created by their side’s moniker(s).
Absolutely many nicknames have a great deal of meaning for supporters, with national team names in particular gaining attention through conversations with other fans and media interaction.
Most of these nicknames are commonly derived from the color of their playing strip or country flag, or an animal associated with the country
Kawowo Sports’ Michael Bryson Mugote takes you through the 16 team’s nick names and some of their meaning
1. Ghana – The Black Stars Ghana are currently considered to be amongst the top teams in Africa The Black Stars – originated from the five-pointed black star in the middle of the Ghana national flag. The Football Associations of Ghana felt it made sense to adopt the moniker because it would foster unity not only in the country, but across the continent as well.
2. South Africa – Bafana Bafana In July 1992, three journalists used the name Bafana Bafana, meaning ‘The boys the boys’, to identify the country’s national team, and the nickname grew in popularity among football loving fans. The South African Football Association’s (SAFA) leadership at the time found it derogatory to refer to a team of men as ‘boys’, but this did not stop the people of South Africa from developing a love for the new name, and it stuck.
3. Tunisia – The Carthage Eagles Tunisia are nicknamed The Carthage Eagles (Les Aigles de Carthage) because the eagle was one of the most prominent symbols of the Carthaginian civilization, which is considered a golden age in the north African country’s history. Meanwhile, the eagle itself has always been a symbol of power, grace, agility, strength and, like a number of other African national teams; Tunisians want to see those characteristics in their players.
4. Nigeria – The Super Eagles Probably one of the most famous nicknames emanating from Africa, the Nigerians have proven through the years that they are indeed super, and, as a giant of the continental game, they have built a reputation as one of Africa’s most consistent sides. The Super Eagles have qualified for the World Cup on four occasions, making it to the Round of 16 twice, and are defending AFCON champions.
5. Burundi – The Swallows It is believed that the name was picked only to send scaring signals to Burundi’s opponents before games. That they (opponents) could think that the Burundian team will definitely swallow them. ‘The Swallows’ is spoken and written as ‘les Hirondolles and Intambu Mu Rugamba in French and Kirundi languages respectively.
6. Congo – The Red devils. Like the Red devils of Manchester United of England, Congo dons Red shirts and shorts as their home kit hence the name. The French speaking nation, strongly know the name in their national language as ‘les Diables Rouges’.
7. Dr. Congo – The Leopards In 1997-2006, the team was nicknamed ‘the Simba’ a Swahili word meaning ‘the Lions’ but it was then unpopular to non Swahili speakers. It was not until 2007-to now that it was named the leopards.
8. Libya – The Greens, akin to Congo, the Arabic speaking nation uses Green colors as its home kit and it’s famed as ‘Al Akhdar’ at home. The team is other times called ‘The Mediterranean Knights’.
9. Morocco – Lions of Atlas The Moroccan team is nicknamed ‘les Lions de l’Atlas or Al Esoud Al-Atlasiya, the French and Arabic sayings that mean the lions of the Atlas Mountains.
10. Ethiopia – Walyas. Walyas is a local word in Ethiopia meaning a ‘species of wild goat’
11. Uganda – The Cranes. The team is pet-named the national bird’s name, the crested crane, which appears on the coat of arm and on the national flag.
12. Gabon- The Panthers, les Pantheres (in French)
13. Burkina Faso – The Stallions, les Etalons (in French)
14. Mali – The Eagles, les Aigles (in French) 15. Zimbabwe – The Warriors 16. Mozambique – The Mambas