Afcon’s hairy situation
Fernando ‘Nando’ Maria Neves is totally drool-worthy. The captain of Cape Verde cornrows his Afro when he goes on the field, but he looks good either way. Oh, to be the woman who plaits that hair. Swoon... Picture: Supplied
From mohawks to cornrows, they’re all on the field . . .
Now that the Africa Cup of Nations has gained some momentum, with the first group stage almost over, it has to be said that the on-field action has been a mixed bag.
There have been deadly dull goalless draws but also thrilling wins with crushing defeats.
After a slow start, our brothers in football are starting to come out of their shells.
But the on-field skill isn’t the only thing that keeps the Afcon 2013 hashtag trending on Twitter and a talking point on Facebook.
Looks and physique, as in any other sporting code, are a big conversation piece for football fans – and it’s not only limited to women.
While hot rod players have been few and far between, save for the brothers from Cape Verde, Morocco and Tunisia, the hair has proved to be a uniting force for all teams.
Specifically the mohawk. Different versions of the style are dominating the field – from the hipster kind and the box cut, to gelled curls and high peaks.
Aristide Bance of Burkina Faso has the looks European fashion commentators term “exotic”. We have to commend his bravery for matching them with a yellow spaghetti mop hairstyle but, really, it’s begging for some clippers.
There’s something about the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Nzinga Luvumbu that reminds me of the guy who used to sell peanuts and loose cigarettes at Philippi train station in Cape Town circa 2002.
Ghanaian midfielder Mubarak Wakaso could be related to anyone of the hipster generation kids who walk around this country’s CBDs sporting the two-tone mohawk ’fro.
If you lived through the 90s American R&B era – or simply listen to MetroFM on Sundays – then you’ll see where Mali’s Mahamadou Samassa got inspiration for his S-curl mohawk. Bet he’s got a stash of Jodeci CDs at home.
Ghana’s defender Isaac Vorsah likes trends. He has upright dreadlocks, blonde hair, a goatee and a red strip on said goatee. If he could, I’m sure he’d have the Mike Tyson tribal facial tattoo as well. A Liker of Things, this one...
Koffi Dan Kowa of Niger’s version of the mohawk would be rather pedestrian if it weren’t for the rust-coloured strip on the top. Still, he should let the barber finish the shave next time. He’s much better without hair.
The Zen monk look of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s goalie, Robert Kidiaba, is strangely appealing. That braided ponytail is high enough to rival Kim Kardashian's without compromising his hairline. Good call, Bob.
Fernando ‘Nando’ Maria Neves is totally drool-worthy. The captain of Cape Verde cornrows his Afro when he goes on the field, but he looks good either way. Oh, to be the woman who plaits that hair. Swoon...
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