Nicknames tell stories and are often used as a symbol of a particular feature someone or something often displays. When it comes to soccer, there are no limits to the choice of nicknames and, more often than not, they mean power, strength, prowess and energy, among other nouns that evoke glory and victory. In the particular case of African soccer, nicknames are usually associated with powerful animals, something in which Mother Africa is rich. Have a look at some of the most interesting and meaningful nicknames in African soccer!
The Burkina Faso Stallions
One could say the word stallion speaks for itself. A stallion is a powerful, fast and free-spirited horse, perhaps much of what the Burkina Faso National Team tries show on the field. But there is more to this nickname. The Stallions is a reference to the legendary horse of warrior princess Yennenga, considered the mother of the Mossi people of Burkina Faso.
The Elephants – Ivory Coast
Is there a more powerful land animal than the mighty elephant? Although chosen as only a temporary symbol for the team until a better one came up, it ended up remaining perhaps for conjuring sentiments of power, toughness and respect. Ivory Coast may have never won a World Cup but you will surely agree it has produced some of the best players of all time: Emmanuel Eboué, Wilfried Bony and, of course, Didier Drogba.
The Indomitable Lions – Cameroon
This is one of Africa’s favourite and it’s not difficult to understand why. The king of the jungle didn’t get this reputation by chance. He’s majestic, proud, fierce and, surely, indomitable. The Cameroon National Soccer Team has so far won five Africa Cup of Nations titles and were the first African team to reach the quarter-finals of the
FIFA World Cup™, in 1990. The Indomitable Lions have qualified for the World Cup seven times, many more than any other African team. You will agree that they deserve their intimidating nickname.
The Copper Bullets – Zambia
While a bullet is not an animal, it certainly implies speed, piercing power and relentlessness.
Chipolopolo (copper bullets in the national language) has its origin from the copper mines in Kitwe and its purpose is to show the opponent that the 11 players on the field are living copper bullets whose target is to fly towards the objective as intensely and quickly as they can.
Bafana Bafana – South Africa
We could not finish this blog without mentioning our boys. The words
Bafana Bafana were coined in 1992 by journalist Sibusiso Mseluku and even though back in the days the term was considered derogatory (why would a group of grown men want to be called “
the boys, the boys”?) the truth is it grew in popularity and has remained since. In Zulu it literally means, “Go boys! Go boys!” and perhaps the reason why so many fans from the rainbow nation love
The Boys is precisely because the word
boys evokes joy, youth and recklessness. Would you prefer “Go men! Go men!”? For some reason, we don’t think you would.
We could go on with many other beloved African nicknames, but perhaps it’s time to place your faith in your favourite stoic-sounding team. Have a look at the many betting options Betway has lined up for you, on multiple leagues across the world, including the ever-popular
English Premier League or La Liga, amongst many others and
bet on international soccer games with Betway South Africa!
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