WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Nicknames make up an important part of African football and across the continent, there are some intriguingly christened sides. But there is power in a name, too.

-  Mark Gleeson

After years of threatening to change their national team's nickname, the small west African country of Benin has finally ditched 'The Squirrels' and is now known as The Cheetahs.

But while the sentiment is perfectly understandable, the old nickname is not fading fast as old habits die hard.

The tiny squirrel was considered an inappropriate and far from intimidating symbol, and had long been criticised by some Benin fans, who wanted a bolder nickname than 'Les Écureuils' for their side, along the lines of Cameroon's Indomitable Lions or the Elephants of nearby Ivory Coast.

"The nickname given to the national team must resonate with the population and reflect our strong ambitions in the world of sport," said the Benin Football Federation when they made the name-change announcement.