ABSTRACT
Every country issues postage stamps. Originally construed as pre-payment for the service of transporting letters and packages, stamps have also become mediums for transmitting promotional images and sometimes even propaganda messages about the country of issue to its citizens and the rest of the world. Common themes of the images on postage stamps are sporting events, such as football games, and football celebrities. From an examination of images depicting simple silhouettes, anonymous athletes, stadiums and paraphernalia as well as recognizable icons and teams, this article traces the evolution of the representation of football on postage stamps from eight African countries since independence. This evolution, I argue, occurred in tandem with the development of football as a national and global brand with various dimensions, including image projection and propaganda, as well as economic expansion. The power of philatelic propaganda has been expressed through nationalist aspirations, where icons of football have acquired significant social and political stature, and where hosting football tournaments has brought prestige and pride to the political class. Finally, since postage stamps are global brands and sales bring significant revenue and foreign exchange to African countries, stamp dealers and collectors have had a significant influence on the choice of football stars to be represented on African stamps.
