Monday, January 20, 2014
South Africa prepare to drop their Bafana Bafana nickname
South Africa are considering getting rid of their Bafana Bafana nickname.
"We must consider changing the name and we have to review the preparations, the philosophy and technical staff of the team," Danny Jordaan, the South African Football Association president, said.
The popular nickname, a Zulu expression that closely translates as "The Lads", has been used since South Africa's return to the international arena in 1992 after decades of apartheid.
But Jordaan, speaking after the country were knocked out of the African Nations Championship tournament on home soil, indicated that they were looking for a change of image.
The Bafana Bafana nickname earned worldwide renown when South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup but the SAFA have been keen to change it for a while because they lost out on millions in marketing income from the name.
The association did not initially register the nickname and when they finally sought to profit from the trademark found a local entrepreneur had beaten them to it. A court battle ensued, which the SAFA lost, although a later agreement saw a share of the commercial income.
"We must consider changing the name and we have to review the preparations, the philosophy and technical staff of the team," Danny Jordaan, the South African Football Association president, said.
The popular nickname, a Zulu expression that closely translates as "The Lads", has been used since South Africa's return to the international arena in 1992 after decades of apartheid.
But Jordaan, speaking after the country were knocked out of the African Nations Championship tournament on home soil, indicated that they were looking for a change of image.
The Bafana Bafana nickname earned worldwide renown when South Africa hosted the 2010 World Cup but the SAFA have been keen to change it for a while because they lost out on millions in marketing income from the name.
The association did not initially register the nickname and when they finally sought to profit from the trademark found a local entrepreneur had beaten them to it. A court battle ensued, which the SAFA lost, although a later agreement saw a share of the commercial income.
