Aesthetic history of the African Cup of Nations From the vuvuzelas to armhole kits and American-inspired shirts, CAF has always had some great surprises in store
The 2022 African Cup of Nations opens on 9 January. It was postponed last year due to the Covid affair and was in danger of being cancelled for the same reasons. However, CAF has imposed itself and the competition will be held regularly in Cameroon. They will go all out against Algeria, the reigning champions, who in the course of this event could even break Italy's unbeaten record, which has stopped at 37 consecutive useful results.
And amidst folklore, music, magical traditions and an explosion of colours that is also reflected in the common clothing, the African Nations Cup is ready to offer a spectacle on the pitch and in the stands. From the famous vuvuzelas, which became famous in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, to armhole kits and American-inspired shirts, the event has always offered flashes of great originality since its first edition in 1957. Here are the most eccentric and unusual uniforms in the history of the African Cup of Nations.
Cameroon, the 'Untameable Lions' on sleeves
Also iconic are some of the uniforms in which Nigeria has appeared in various editions of the African Cup of Nations. In 1994, Nike made an Away jersey with a white background on and a green, white and black rectangular pattern scattered throughout the surface of the uniform. Also reminiscent of this is the kit also made by Nike in 2018, with which the Super Eagles took part in both the World Cup in Russia 2018 and the continental cup. It was a jersey that encapsulated all the Nigerian style, the Naija, and which sold like hot cakes all over the world with over 3 million copies sold. Nigeria's coat of arms features an eagle, the country's representative animal.
Guinea, American style in 2004
Among the participants in the African Cup of Nations, there is also Guinea, which in the 2004 edition brought on the field a very special innovation that took up a theme known from American sports and in particular from the NBA. On the front of the jerseys, with their classic fiery red colour, the words 'Guinee' appeared in large letters. Guinean footballers are nicknamed the 'Sily', or elephants, which are characteristic of the country. A green elephant wielding a red and yellow shield was one of the national team's emblems in the past.
Algeria, the fox Fennec arrives on shirts
Turning to the reigning champions of Algeria, in the 2010 edition they presented themselves with a uniform that reflected their nickname: "Les Fennec", a name that refers to the Fennec fox, a particular species of the Algerian nation. The animal's image also appeared in the top right-hand corner of the official shirts that Puma created for the team 12 years ago.
L’esordio in blu di Capo Verde
Nel 2013 Capo Verde partecipò per la prima volta alla Coppa d’Africa, sorprendendo tutti arrivando fino ai quarti di finale. In quell’occasione, la Nazionale indossò un kit della Tepa con maglia blu a pois rossi. E proprio il colore blu predominante rimanda anche al soprannome della selezione africana: gli “Squali Blu”, che fa riferimento agli animali che nuotano nelle acque delle isole al largo dell'Oceano Atlantico e che è presente anche sullo stemma di Capo Verde.
Le fiamme del Malawi
Tra le Nazionali outsider della competizione, c’è sicuramente il Malawi che, tra stemma e bandiera del Paese, racchiude in se una storia curiosa e caratteristica. Lo stendardo rappresenta il sole mentre sta albeggiando, con tanto di raggi tutt’intorno a esso. Per questo motivo, la squadra è soprannominata “Le Fiamme” che compaiono anche nello stemma sulla maglia con le fiaccole che accerchiano un pallone.
Gabon in stile Marvel
Senegal is one of the selections that has often shown a lot of colour and originality in its uniforms, but in the 2000 African Cup of Nations it decided to surprise everyone by wearing an all-white jersey with green stripes on the collar and the words "SENEGAL" on the chest. The home kit worn in the 2017 edition was more unusual. It was white with green left sleeves and a stylised lion's head on the right side ready to bite its rivals, symbolising Senegal's hunger for football.
