Casting light on a microcosm at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), football in Africa is not only a war where the continents crème of players fight but is also a place where our social-historical, cultural, and sociocultural identities are painted.
But as the preparations for the year 2024 edition begins as the event is expected to take place in the lively nation of Côte d’Ivoire starting from January 13th to February 11th, the world doesn’t wait to witness the showdowns on the soccer field as well as the launching of the embellished tournaments’ jerseys.
Finally, AFCON about years has been marked by some of the best and memorable shirts that was not only speak the hearts of the teams, but also explained the stories of their nations and ended up leaving great memories in the history of the tournament. From the artistic designs of the 20th century to some of the most stylish designs that have been produced in the 21st century, these jerseys have captured the cultural history of African, and at the same time stimulating passions that are relevant to contemporary football lovers.
Cameroon (Home, 2002)
The Cameroon 2002 home kit: the shock of the new and the kingpin of the strop in the evolution of football kits. The type of clothing that included no sleeves and the heels which were accompanied by the yellow and red colors attracted global attention especially during the AFCON success of the year.
When Cameroon raised the trophy for the fourth time at this year’s AFCON with this strip, the lack of sleeves therefore became a symbol of their tenacity. This special jersey, worn by such football stars as Samuel Eto'o was a visible emblem of the team’s invincibility and turned into an icon of uniqueness and fearlessness on the field as well as in fashion history of African footballers.
Nigeria (Home, 2019)
The home jersey for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations became way more than apparel for soccer; it became Nigeria style and pride identity.
Sporting neon green zigzagging prints on black, no one could ignore this jersey’s daring statement when it entered the world’s gaze. T
he replica jerseys was the most sought after item as record breaking three million pre-orders were an evidence of the popularity of this kit.
Mali (Home, 2024)
The home kit of the Mali for the 2023 edition of AFCON, this apparel has been developed by a famous French sports wear manufacturer ‘Airness’ and the kit symbolizes the nation’s pride and originality.
This away jersey, which is in a stunning green color, now comes with the classic eagle emblem in the Mali colors of green, yellow, and red on the chest.
Ghana (Home, 2015)
The white kit used by the Ghana home during the 2015 had more than just the nationalist implication, but super cooled new age appeal with its clean and fresh look.
However, this elegant jersey in pure white, flooded with a symbol of the black star for the country was quite outstanding as it depicted the team’s ambitions towards regaining the past glory but appealed to the aesthetics sensibility quite remarkably.
This optimum was missing from the latest Ghana gear since the team won the Africa Cup of Nations last in 1982 but this particular kit reflected a contemporary and class look to the team on the field.
South Africa (Home, 1996)
The South Africa’s 1996 home kit has a very symbolic value in the football history of the country, as the nation was introduced as hosts in AFCON event. This football jersey, used by the most important national team, Bafana Bafana, turned into even more than a symbol of a sport unity and hope.
This indeed took the status to a higher level adding on it the momentous sight of the country’s revered leader, the President Nelson Mandela himself in the team’s jersey as he witnessed the team’s victory in the tournament.
During the 1992 AFCON tournament follows South Africa home to clinch the trophy physically showed Mandela’s symbolic shirt which portrayed how soccer played a key role in uniting people of South Africa during their period of history.
Tunisia (Away, 2010)
Based on the style, the Tunisia 2010 away kit designed by Puma showing off the spirit and history of the old football team of African continent and the creativity of the sportswear company.
This away shirt for Tunisia that they wore for the 21 occasions of the African Cup of Nations qualification was worth looking out for because of its fusion of the contemporary aesthetic with historic elements.
This shirt had a rather neat and modern look with an intense red color and exquisite embroidery along with the traditional Puma emblem; all of this was a blatant reference to the Tunisian football culture.
Tunisia (Third Kit, 2024)
Tunisia’s third kit for the year 2024 is a creation of Kappa and aims to honour the UNESCO World Heritage City while reminding the viewer of the Mediterranean location of the nation. However, the away kit keeps the gist of the home kit’s red and white contrast, and the third shirt is in a brilliant royal blue texture with a classic polo collars.
To conserve its link with the conventional color scheme, there is a bougainvillea flower motif at the bottom of the sleeves – which is a symbol of Sidi Bou Said. This special jersey not only depicts the historical background of Tunisia but also tells the viewer about the fine work that Kappa puts into the design and connects modernity to culture.
Zimbabwe (Away, 2021)
The home kit has been designed by Umbro and is in the bright yellow color that has been a common theme in Zimbabwe’s kits with the reverse paintbrush effect resembling the national flag.
