RABAT, Morocco (AP) — The Indomitable Lions, Bafana Bafana and the Super Eagles are all competing in the 35th African Cup of Nations.
Cameroon, South Africa and Nigeria are just three of the 24 teams participating in the four-week tournament in Morocco. They all have nicknames that their supporters are proud of, but some have been more successful than others.
Here’s a look at the nickname and how the team lived up to it in the group stage that ended on Wednesday.
Morocco, Atlas Lions
(Group A)
The Barbary lion, which once roamed the mountains of North Africa, is kept alive only by the home team of the African Cup. The last known photograph of a wild lion in Morocco was taken by French army photographer Marceline Flandrin in 1925 from above the Atlas Mountains. However, Achraf Hakimi’s Atlas Lion is still alive and well on his way to winning the title. be at the top of the group.
mali, eagles
The eagle symbolizes strength and power for Malians. The country has been run by a military junta since Colonel Asimi Goita took over as president in 2021. It’s difficult to beat this team. Mali advanced to the last 16 with three consecutive draws.
Comoros, coelacanth
The nickname of the island nation of Comoros, which just took part in its second African Cup tournament, comes from an ancient fish that was thought to be extinct until a living specimen was discovered off the coast of South Africa in 1938. It is now known to inhabit the waters off the east coast of Africa and around the Comoros, northwestern Madagascar. The team did not progress.
Zambia, Chipolopolo (Copper Bullet)
Zambia’s team is named after copper, one of the country’s biggest exports, with the addition of the term bullet, which refers to the team’s speed and danger. Unfortunately for the fans, it didn’t help Zambia as they finished bottom of the group with two draws.
Egypt, Pharaoh (Group B)
The Pharaohs, named after the ancient Egyptian leader led by current Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah, are among the favorites to win a record-extending eighth African Cup. Egypt was the first team to advance to the finals.
South Africa, Bafana Bafana
Bafana Bafana, which means “boys, boys” in Zulu, became popular as a term of endearment after the team re-entered competitions after the end of apartheid in the country. South Africa finished as runners-up and will next face Cameroon on Sunday.
Angora, Palancas negras (black sable antelope)
The sable antelope is Angola’s national animal and is also featured on banknotes and stamps. The reason why the team did not make progress was Tanzania scores another goal..
zimbabwe warriors
It is named after the fighting spirit and resilience in the face of adversity demonstrated by teams from the landlocked country in southeastern Africa. The team fought hard but lost their final match against local rivals South Africa and were ultimately eliminated.
Nigeria, Super Eagles (Group C)
After gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1960, the Nigerian team played in green and white uniforms that reflected the national flag. Formerly known as the UK Tourists, the Red Devils (because of their red jerseys) and, due to a post-independence uniform change, the Green Eagles, in the 1980s they became known as the Super Eagles. They took the lead in the group with three wins.
Tunisia, Carthage Eagles
Another Eagle team looks to the historic Phoenician Republic of Carthage for inspiration. Carthage, located near modern-day Tunisia’s capital, Tunis, was one of the world’s largest cities at the height of its power, ruling a vast territory spanning northwestern Africa, the southeastern Iberian Peninsula, and the islands in between. Tunisia finished as runners-up and will play Mali next.
Tanzania, Thailand Fasters
Derived from the Swahili word taifa meaning nation, it attracts the best athletes from the mainland and the island of Zanzibar, formerly known as Tanganyika. In 1964, the two teams merged to form Tanzania. Taifa Stars will advance to the finals for the first time and will face host country Morocco in the next round.
uganda, cranes
It is named after the gray crested crane, Uganda’s national bird. It has appeared on Uganda’s flag and coat of arms since it gained independence in 1962, and also when it was previously a protectorate of the British Empire. The Cranes finished last in their group.
Senegal, Teranga Lions (Group D)
“Teranga” means hospitality in Wolof, a language spoken in Senegal and some of its neighboring countries. But the Lions were only hospitable off the field, finishing top of their group. They will do everything in their power to repeat their only success after winning the trophy in 2021.
congo, leopards
The leopard is central to Congolese culture and has been featured on the Congolese national emblem and team coat of arms since ancient times. Leopards will next face Algeria on January 6th.
benin, cheetahs
Benin’s team was known as the Lisu until 2022, when the country’s football federation decided a change was needed to reflect a more aggressive, faster and perhaps even more frightening attitude. He wanted a nickname that was “exciting and worthy of respect.” Now Benin’s athletes must live up to their mission as the world’s fastest land animals. They defeated Botswana and advanced to the final tournament.
botswana, zebras
It is named after Botswana’s national animal. In the end, the Zebras did not earn enough stripes to advance to the finals.
Algerian fennec fox (Group E)
It is named after the dwarf desert fox, the world’s smallest fox, which manages to survive in the Sahara Desert and other arid environments across North Africa. The Fennec Foxes topped their group and will remain in Rabat until the next round.
burkina faso, stallions
The country’s coat of arms depicts two stallions, a reference to the story of Yenenga, a warrior princess who left the kingdom because her father would not allow her to marry. Yenenga met Riare, a hunter, with whom he had a son, Ouedraogo. Ouedraogo means stallion, after the white horse on which Yenenga traveled. The Stallions will next face defending champion Ivory Coast.
Sudan, Falcons of Jedi
This name refers to the secretary bird, which is found throughout most of Sudan and the open grasslands of the sub-Saharan region. It is depicted on the country’s coat of arms. Despite a season overshadowed by the war in the country, the Falcons defeated Equatorial Guinea to advance to the last 16, where they will next face Senegal.
Equatorial Guinea, National Thunder
Unfortunately, that was not the case in Morocco, as the team lost just two games and ended up losing all three.
Ivory Coast, Elephants (Group F)
The defending champion’s nickname comes from the forest elephant, which was once widespread in this country. They are depicted on the coat of arms. The country itself derives its name from the ivory trade. There are still elephants in Ivory Coast, but not as many as there used to be.
Cameroon, the indomitable lions
As if the lions weren’t scary enough already, the five-time champions were undefeated in their group with two wins and one draw. Cameroon will face South Africa in the round of 16.
Mozambique, Mambas tribe
It is named after a highly venomous and fast snake found in sub-Saharan Africa. The black mamba, found in Mozambique, is one of the most feared of all mambas and can attack if confronted. Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be given a warning.
gabon, panthers
The black leopard is Gabon’s national animal and also appears on the coat of arms of the country’s football federation, with two of them featured on the country’s coat of arms. The Panthers are already heading home with three losses.
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Associated Press at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
