The Africa Cup of Nations is always a delight to the eye. The football, the fans... the new shirts. As usual, Puma have been getting busy and the designs for the new shirts have been created in conjunction with local artists. Watch on to find out more...
GABON
The proud co-hosts will be stepping out in a shirt designed by local artist Owanto, and with the team nicknamed The Panthers there was only one place to start. âÂÂI love the idea of the players wearing the skin of a big cat,â says Owanto. âÂÂI wanted to develop this with a camouflaged panther skin print to the entire football kit but footballâÂÂs governing bodies wouldnâÂÂt allow it.â A team of panthers: if only!
GHANA
Specialising in paint, mixed media collages and printmaking, Ghanaian artist Godfried Donkor took his inspiration from the Black Starsâ performances at the 2010 World Cup: âÂÂThe diagonally falling dark stars mirror the team in formation, in attack and in defence, protecting the red, gold and green stars, which are the national interest.âÂÂ
IVORY COAST
ItâÂÂs a scary thought: Yaya Toure bearing down on you in goal, an elephant emblazoned across his chest. âÂÂI wanted to use the force and power of the elephant to inspire,â admits local designer Ernest Duku. The kitâÂÂs power to intimidate is enhanced by the fit, which like all the tops here, is tighter than the average jersey to emphasise the playersâ physique.
SENEGAL
Stretching across SenegalâÂÂs jersey, figure-hugging to prevent shirt-pulling, is the Baobab tree. âÂÂGrowing up playing football in Senegal, the Baobab tree used to act as a guardian, sharing its shade and fruit with everyone,â says the artist behind the shirt, Samba Fall. âÂÂItâÂÂs a symbol of good memories that the team can take to the tournament.âÂÂ
There's more information on the shirts at puma.com/football.
Follow the Cup with FourFourTwo's news, analysis and new ACoN version of Stats Zone â it's all free!
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FEATURE, Wed 18 Jan: All change in Africa in two amazing years since the last ACoN â Jonathan Fadugba
