Lions roar and Eagles fly: All the 24 teams' nicknames at the Africa Cup of Nations

RABAT, Morocco — The Indomitable Lions, Bafana Bafana and the Super Eagles have all been competing at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon, South Africa and Nigeria are just three of the 24 teams taking part in the four-week tournament in Morocco. All have nicknames carried proudly by their supporters, though some have been more successful than others.

Here's a look at the nicknames and how the teams lived up to them in the group stage which ended Wednesday.

Morocco, the Atlas Lions

– GROUP A

The barbary lions that used to prowl the mountains of north Africa live on only through the Africa Cup's home team. The last known photograph of a wild lion in Morocco was taken by French army photographer Marcelin Flandrin from a flight over the Atlas Mountains in 1925. But Achraf Hakimi's Atlas Lions are alive and remain on course for the title after topping the group.

Mali, the Eagles

Comoros, the Coelacanths

Taking part in just its second Africa Cup tournament, island nation Comoros' nickname comes from an ancient fish that was thought to be extinct until living specimens were found off the coast of South Africa in 1938. They are now known to live in the sea around Comoros off the east coast of Africa to the northwest of Madagascar. The team didn't progress.

Zambia, Chipolopolo (Copper Bullets)

The Zambian team is named after one of the country's biggest exports, copper, with the term bullets added to signify the team's speed and danger. Unfortunately for its fans, it didn't help as Zambia finished bottom of the group after two draws.

Egypt, the Pharaohs – GROUP B

South Africa, Bafana Bafana

Meaning ''the boys, the boys'' in Zulu, Bafana Bafana was popularized as a term of endearment after the team's readmission into competitions following the end of apartheid in the country. South Africa finished runner-up and next faces Cameroon on Sunday.

Angola, Palancas Negras (Black Sable Antelopes)

The sable antelope is the national animal of Angola and can also be found on banknotes and stamps. The team failed to progress because Tanzania scored a goal more.

Zimbabwe, the Warriors

Nigeria, the Super Eagles – GROUP C

After gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1960, the Nigerian team played in green and white kits to reflect the country's flag. Previously known as the U.K. Tourists, the Red Devils (for their red jerseys) and then the Green Eagles with the change in kit after independence, the team became known as the Super Eagles in the 1980s. It topped the group with three wins.

Tunisia, the Carthage Eagles

Another team of eagles who look to the historic Phoenician republic of Carthage for inspiration. Near the present-day Tunisian capital Tunis, Carthage was one of the biggest cities in the world as its height of power when it controlled a swath of territory across northwestern Africa and southeastern Iberia, and the islands in-between. Tunisia finished runner-up and next faces Mali.

Tanzania, Taifa Stars

Uganda, the Cranes

Named after the grey crowned crane, Uganda's national bird. It has featured on Uganda's flag and coat of arms since the country became independent in 1962, and also before as a protectorate of the British Empire. The Cranes finished bottom of the group.

Senegal, Teranga Lions – GROUP D

''Teranga'' means hospitality in the Wolof language spoken in Senegal and parts of neighboring countries. But these lions are only hospitable off the field, finishing top of the group. They'll be doing all they can to repeat their only success after winning the 2021 trophy.

Congo, the Leopards

Benin, the Cheetahs

Benin's team used to be known as the Squirrels until the country's soccer federation felt in 2022 that a change was needed to reflect a more assertive, speedier, perhaps even fearsome attitude. It wanted an ''evocative and respectable'' nickname. Now, Benin's players have to live up to their billing as the fastest land animals in the world. They squeezed into the knockout round thanks to a win over Botswana.

Botswana, the Zebras

Named after the national animal of Botswana. Ultimately, the Zebras didn't earn enough stripes to make it to the knockout round.

Algeria, the Fennec Foxes – GROUP E

Burkina Faso, the Stallions

Two stallions feature on the country's coat of arms, a reference to the story of Yennenga, a warrior-princess who left her kingdom when her father would not let her marry. Yennenga met a hunter, Rialé, with whom she had a son, Ouédraogo, which means stallion in honor of the white horse that Yennenga traveled on. The Stallions next face defending champion Ivory Coast.

Sudan, the Falcons of Jediane

The name refers to the secretary bird found in much of Sudan and across the open grasslands of the sub-Saharan region. It features on the country's coat of arms. Despite a campaign overshadowed by war at home, the Falcons of Jediane made it to the last 16 with a win over Equatorial Guinea and will next face Senegal.

Equatorial Guinea, National Thunder

Ivory Coast, the Elephants – GROUP F

The defending champions get their nickname from the forest elephants that used to be widespread in the country. They feature on the coat of arms. The country itself derives its name from the ivory trade. There are still elephants in Ivory Coast, but not as many as before.

Cameroon, the Indomitable Lions

As if lions aren't fearsome enough already, the five-time champions were undefeated in its group with two wins and a draw. Cameroon faces a showdown against South Africa in the round of 16.

Mozambique, the Mambas

Gabon, the Panthers

The black panther is the national animal of Gabon and it features on the crest of the country's soccer federation, while there are two of them on the country's coat of arms. The Panthers are going home already after three defeats.

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