As the excitement builds for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d’Ivoire 2023, the nicknames of the teams participating in the tournament take center stage, reflecting the spirit, pride, and cultural significance of each nation.
This story tells the unique monikers of the 24 teams, highlighting the attachment to tourism, wildlife, and national symbols that these names often embody.
In Group A, the host nation Côte d’Ivoire proudly bears the nickname “The Elephants,” drawing inspiration from the majestic African elephant. The symbolism of ivory tusks on the largest mammal represents grace and conquering strength. The national football team, adorned with this moniker, has carried the spirit of the elephant to numerous tournaments, producing football legends like Didier Drogba, Yaya and Kolo Toure, and Laurent Pokou.
Nigeria, another powerhouse in Group A, is famously known as “The Super Eagles.” The characteristics associated with eagles, including courage, bravery, pride, and grace, perfectly encapsulate the essence of Nigerian football. From legends like Rashid Yekini to current stars like Vincent Osimhen, the Super Eagles embody a never-give-up attitude and a constant desire to stand out on the global football stage.
Equatorial Guinea brings an electrifying energy with their nickname, “Nzalang Nacional,” translating to National Thunder. This moniker reflects their intimidating force and determination to strike fear into opponents. Their past performances, especially in the 2012 and 2015 editions, showcased their thunderous presence, reaching the quarterfinals and semi-finals respectively. Equatorial Guinea aims to bring this thunder to Côte d’Ivoire for their fourth-ever appearance.
Guinea Bissau, completing the quartet in Group A, goes by the moniker “Djurtus,” meaning African wild dogs in the Portuguese-influenced Creole. The largest wild canine on the continent symbolizes their hunting prowess and fearlessness. Guinea Bissau’s Djurtus have already proven their bite by defeating the formidable Super Eagles in the qualifiers, demonstrating that they are a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming AFCON.
As the tournament approaches, these nicknames serve as powerful representations of the diverse cultures, strengths, and spirits of the teams in Group A.
