CAN-2022: Elephants, Crocodiles, Antelopes ... the nicknames of the 24 teams

"Elephants", "Fennecs", "Stallions" or even "Crocodiles" ... "Atlas Lions", "Teranga" or even "indomitable" ... In Africa, the nicknames of national selections are far more impressive than in Europe or South America, where we often just mention the color of the jersey or the flag.

As the African Cup of Nations begins Sunday, January 9 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, France 24 goes around the nicknames of the 24 teams who will compete for the trophy until February 6.

Group A

Cameroon:

The

will be in their lair during the competition.

This nickname is one of the best known in the world, notably thanks to Roger Milla, who for the first time led an African team to the quarter-finals of a World Cup in 1990, or Samuel Eto'o, the superstar who became president. of the federation.

Burkina Faso:

the

.

The nickname comes from the country's coat of arms, which includes the national flag supported by two spears and two horses - depiction of Mossi warriors, the country's majority ethnic group.

Its founding legend is that of Princess Yennenga and her stallion, who founded the kingdom through their union.

Ethiopia

the

.

The Ethiopian nickname comes from the Abyssinian ibex, a species of antelope found in sub-Saharan Africa.

Cape Verde:

the

, or ... the Blue Sharks.

The shark is a very impressive animal to frighten opponents;

as for the epithet "blue", it comes from the color of the jersey.

Another nickname: the

(the Creoles).

Group B

Senegal

the

Teranga means "hospitality" in Wolof.

In Africa, there are many teams nicknamed "the Lions".

Also, to distinguish the Senegalese from their "indomitable" opponents of Cameroon or the Lions of the Atlas (Morocco), it is customary, outside the country of Teranga, to complete their nickname.

Zimbabwe:

the

.

Many African nations have an animal nickname.

Not Zimbabwe, which chose "the Warriors".

Guinea

the

.

"Syli" means "elephant" in the language of the Soussous, one of the three majority ethnic groups in the country.

Malawi:

 the 

.

Another selection that does not have an animal nickname.

"Flames" is simply the translation of "Malawi" from Chichewa, the country's official language with English.

Group C

Morocco

the

.

Third team of CAN "Lions", Morocco derives this nickname from the now extinct species in the wild, which once lived in North Africa.

Ghana:

Ghanaians are nicknamed "the

".

Reference to their flag, which represents a large black star in the middle of colored bands.

Comoros

the

.

Small Thumb of the CAN, the Comorians will make discover their nickname to Africa and to the world.

Coelacanths are very rare fish mainly found in the archipelago.

Gabon:

the

.

Until 2000, the Gabonese were nicknamed "Azingo" in reference to a lake in the country.

However, this term meaning "bad luck", they preferred to opt for the Panthers, one of the most dangerous animals of the forests.

Group D

Sudan:

 the

.

A nickname taken from the animal, sacred in the north of the country, near the mythical river.

Guinea-Bissau

 "the

" ("

), canines living exclusively in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Guinea-Bissau where they are endangered.

Nigeria:

the

.

Olympic champions in 1996 and three-time CAN winners, the "Eagles" of Nigeria are definitely "super".

Egypt:

the

.

The Egyptians reign over African football with seven titles including three consecutive in 2006, 2008 and 2010. What could be more logical than adopting the name of the first leaders of their country, kings of ancient Egypt?

Group E

Algeria

the

.

Small fox of the sands of the Sahara, protected species, the fennec is the totem of the Algerian selection.

The players are also nicknamed "the

" or more prosaically the "

".

Sierra Leone

the

or

A lion that is also found on the coat of arms of the country.

Ivory Coast

the

.

A logical nickname, the elephant being an integral part of the identity of the country until its name, with ivory.

Equatorial Guinea

, "national flash" in the Fang language

.

Group F

Mauritania

the

.

The national team adopted the name of an ancient dynasty that originated in Mauritania - in French, the Almoravids.

Gambia

.

_

The second newcomer to CAN hopes to make an impression with his nickname.

Whoever rubs against this little animal can bite it.

Tunisia

the

.

The eagle was the emblem of Carthage, capital of North Africa under the Roman Empire, destroyed in Hannibal's time.

A city which is the cradle of Tunisia.

Mali:

the

.

Aerial duel in group E since the Tunisians will face them Malians who also adopted the nickname "Eagles" in the 1970s. Trained and supplied with equipment by the German technician Karl-Heinz Weigang, they sported a huge eagle German on their shirts.

The nickname stuck.

They miss the CAN

The

) of Madagascar, the Hawks

of Togo, the

of Benin, the

of Burundi, the

of the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the

of Uganda.

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