From Lions to Eagles, Thunder to Stars, African national football teams have held the most fascinating of sports monikers.
Some have paradoxical significance, like the Black Stars, but their meanings have held listeners and readers in awe as they hold great significance.
Some of the sobriquets represent significant historical towns like Carthage (Tunisia), Teranga (Senegal) and Chinguetti (Mauritania).
But all in all, the nicknames of these nations provide the inspiration for the performance of players in major competitions.
Below are the nicknames of the 24 nations that will participate in the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
1. La Côte d’Ivoire – Elephants
2. Nigeria – Super Eagles
3. Ghana – Black Stars
4. Guinea-Bissau – Djurtus (Wild dogs)
5. Angola – Palancas Negras (Black Antelopes)
6. Mozambique – Os Mambas (Snakes)
7. Tanzania – Taifa Stars (National Stars)
8. Namibia – Brave Warriors
9. Burkina Faso – Stallions
10. Mali – Eagles
11. The Gambia – Scorpions
12. Morocco – Atlas Lions
13. Algeria – Desert Foxes
14. Tunisia – Carthage Eagles
15. Mauritania – Al-Murabitun (Lions of Chinguetti)
16. Cape Verde – Blue Sharks
17. Guinea – Syli National (National Elephants)
18. Egypt – Pharaohs
19. Equatorial Guinea – Nzalang Nacional (National Thunder)
20. Senegal – Teranga Lions
21. Cameroon – Indomitable Lions
22. Zambia – Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets)
23. DR Congo – Leopards
24. South Africa – Bafana Bafana (The Boys)
