sports_soccer By topic

Soccer in Fon

Soccer is Benin’s number one sport. The fɔ̀ngbè language has absorbed and adapted its technical vocabulary. Here are the essential words to follow a match and talk about it.

schedule 4 min
signal_cellular_alt All levels
1
The ball and the game

Basic terms

BɔlùBall (from the English « ball »)
AfɔbɔlùSoccer (literally: ball at the foot)
Afɔbɔlù fíntínSoccer match
Kplɔ́ kplɔ́Goal (the frame)
ƉagbeScore / Play well
KlǎnSlow down / Dribble
2
Teams and players

Positions on the field

Gbɛ̀Team (literally: group)
Afɔbɔlùkpatɔ́Soccer player (one who kicks the ball)
Kplɔ́nnɔGoalkeeper
Nukɔntɔ́Forward (striker)
Glɔntɔ́Back (defender)

These words spoken by a native speaker: Parlons Fongbe Academy — 79 video lessons with a native speaker.Discover

3
The Squirrels of Benin

The national team

Benin’s national team, nicknamed the Squirrels (les Écureuils in French), is called in Fon:

Daxɔn gbɛ̀ ɔ́
The Squirrels team

During matches, fans shout:

Ðagbe ! Ðagbe !
Score! Score!
sports

Soccer culture in Benin

At the Stade de l’Amitié in Cotonou, live commentary often switches between Fon and French. Knowing afɔbɔlùkpatɔ́ (soccer player) and ɖagbe (goal) is enough to follow the atmosphere.

Talking soccer in Benin

With bɔlù, ɖagbe and gbɛ̀, you’ll follow a match in Fon with no trouble. Fans love it when foreigners use these words.

à ≠ ǎ
One tone, and everything changes
Parlons Fongbe Academy
The full course

Reading these words isn’t enough. You have to hear them.

In Fon, the pitch of your voice changes the meaning: à asks a question, ǎ says no. The Academy explains 818 forms, one by one, carried by a native voice — never a word without its meaning.

79 video lessons Native speaker from Cotonou Lifetime access, one payment
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