AFCON 2023 begins today as Elephants, Eagles, sharks, foxes, lions others war!
The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations begins today in Cote d Ivoire. Twenty four teams viz Angola, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia and Zambia qualified for the continental showpiece and will from today begin their quest to win the trophy, claim the prestige attached to it and in addition pocket the increased prize money of $7million up for grabs for the would be Champion.
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Every team on parade has set a target an indication that the battle will be fight to the finish or better put survival of the fittest.
while some like highest title holders Egypt are hoping to extend their lead others like Nigeria are hoping to add to their three titles already in the kitty while arch rivals Ghana are seeking a fifth title to mention but just a few.
The Teranga Lions of Senegal won the last edition in Cameroon.
This edition will be tough players and coaches alike have hinted. That of course is to be expected especially with the kind of nicknames for which most African teams are known.
Nicknamed after hard fighting never- say -die animals birds and aquatic species the battle expectedly will be ferocious.
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Here are the nicknames of all the 24 teams ready to slug it out in the battle of Cote d Ivoire in Alphabetical order.
Angola-Palanca Nigras
Algeria -Desert Warriors, Fennec, foxes or the Greens
Burkina Fasso – The Stallions or Les Etalions.
Cameroon – The Indomitable Lions or Les Lions Indomptables
Cape Verde -Blue Sharks
Cote d Ivoire- The Elephants or Les Éléphants
DR Congo – The Leopards or Les Léopards
Egypt-The Pharaohs
Equatorial Guinea- Nzalang Nacional (National Thunder) or Los Elefantes
Gambia- The Scorpions
Ghana- Black Stars
Guinea Bissau- Djurtus
Guinea- Syli National or National Elephants
Mali- The Eagles or Les Aigles
Morocco- The Atlas Lions
Mauritania- Lions of Chinguetti
Mozambique- The Mambas
Namibia Brave Warriors
Nigeria -Super Eagles
Senegal – Lions of Teranga
South Africa- Bafana Bafana
Tanzania- Taifa Stars
Tunisia Eagles of Carthage or Carthage Eagles
Zambia – Chipolopolo or The Copper Bullets