World Cup 2010 African Nations Murals

: Image via Wikipedia

The FIFA World Cup which is almost a couple of days away in South Africa isn’t just going to make footballers [soccer players], Coaches, Technical Teams and their nations rich again [in a way] but rather a chance for artists / creative guys to show-case their creativity.

Yours truly came across series of colored murals depicting men on horseback, eagle-back and elephant-back; men dressed as supermen, men sprouting wings or plated with armor. First question that came in mind was; what is the reason/idea behind these murals? Whose paintings are this?

Bingo…. Answers here;

These murals were designed by Am I Collective; a Cape Town based illustration, design and animation studio; which has established an international reputation through their ability to craft various styles of illustration. This project is the idea of ESPN Broadcast Network in a way to depict a story about each team’s mural.

Below are the murals of the 6 African Nations at the tournament and what they actually depicts;

The World Cup 2010 on the continent of Africa!

Six countries; South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Algeria & Nigeria are presenting Africa at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Michael Essien flying high flag of Ghana.

Beware of the Ghana Black Stars! At the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations, the team relied heavily on young call-ups from the Satellites—the Ghanaian side that beat Brazil to win the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup—and made it all the way to the finals before bowing to Egypt 1-0. Ghana may lack a defining presence up front, but with or without the veterans the defense is stellar and the midfield is rock solid. Ghana is in Group D with Australia, Serbia & Germany. Are we going to advance into the next stage?

Bafana Bafana of South Africa with their Vuvuzela

The Bafana-Bafana of South Africa are very proud to be hosting this year’s FIFA World Cup. They are one of the lowest-ranked teams in the tournament thereby making them the first World Cup host nation to fail to advance beyond the group stage considering the group they’ve found themselves in. They are in Group A with; Mexico, France & Uruguay. Would you consider this group; The Group of Death? Are we likely to watch a “piano and shoeshine” [short passing] game?

Mikel Obi riding high on a Super Eagle.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria took the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and many people thought the best was yet to come. But the Olympics, alas, are not the World Cup. And Nigeria … well, Nigeria is Nigeria.
They are drawn in the same group [Group B] as Argentina, South Korea & Greece.

Didier Drogba & the Elephants of Ivory Coast.

The Elephants of Ivory Coast are far more than just a supporting cast for Didier Drogba; the reigning African Player of the Year and winner of this year’s Golden Boot in the English Premier League. Salomon Kalou, Didier Zokora, Kolo and Yaya Toure, Emmanuel Eboue—these are just a few of the Elephants that any coach would kill to have on his side. Ivory Coast is drawn in Group G with North Korea, Portugal & Brasil. Let see, how they fair during the tournament.

Samuel Eto'o & The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon..!

A sly and silky striker, Samuel Eto’o is capable of hoisting up the whole of his team and carrying it on his slender back. The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are drawn in Group E with; The Netherlands, Japan & Denmark. Which teams are going to the next stage?

Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes) of Algeria.

Don’t overlook the Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes); they’ll catch you napping. Algeria’s young and inexperienced team may be in tatters, but don’t expect the Desert Foxes to slip quietly into the night during the tournament. The Desert Foxes of Algeria find themselves in Group C with; England, Slovenia & the United States of America. To make it to the elimination round in South Africa, the Desert Foxes will need everything to break their way. They open against Slovenia—no picnic—and then face England and the USA.

You can see the murals of the 32-teams at the World Cup here….