Bafunny, Bafana or what?

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 19: South Africa during the 2014 African Nations Championship match between South Africa and Nigeria at Cape Town Stadium on January 19, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Manus van Dyk/Gallo Images)

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 19: South Africa during the 2014 African Nations Championship match between South Africa and Nigeria at Cape Town Stadium on January 19, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Manus van Dyk/Gallo Images)

Published Jan 24, 2014

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Johannesburg – Earlier this week, in the wake of sports minister Fikile Mbalula’s outrageous outburst aimed at Bafana Bafana, we asked our readers on Facebook to suggest a new name for the national soccer team.

With over 200 replies, we came across some witty, sensible and downright silly names.

Some of the the suggestions had us in stitches.

Clint Marquardt suggested that, in light of their recent poor performance, we rename the team Manchester United.

Vusile Sithole, alluding to the pampered and glamorous environment Bafana operate in (unlike most African teams), suggested we rename them ‘Izikothanis’ (a term used to describe a recent phenomenon in townships where youngsters compete to spend the most money on their clothing and lifestyles).

Palesa Mbele suggested ‘The Bambies’ as a new name. Like deers caught in headlights, perhaps?

Mponeng Jessie went with ‘Bafana baFikile’, which loosely translates to ‘Fikile’s Boys’. And a few people went for ‘Razzmatazzers’ or something similar – a play on the sports minister’s nickname.

There were also some suggestions which would be serious contenders if indeed Bafana Bafana were to adopt a new name.

Many suggested that the national soccer team should look at adopting the Proteas or Springbok name for the team.

Fortune Wilson liked the name ‘The Rainbow Boys’, while Masixole Lee Madubela went for ‘Golden Boys’.

Lesedi Afrika chose ‘The Spears’ and Bhawesh Sukha opted for ‘Diski Warriors’.

And then there were the replies we were expecting... ‘Balosers Balosers’, ‘Bafunny Bafunny’, ‘Banana Banana’, ‘Bakaka Bakaka’ and many other Ba- variations.

It made for entertaining reading and most seemed to agree that it was time for the team to change its name.

*Do you think we should change the name? If so, what would you choose? Use the comments form below to share your suggestion.

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