Angolan Influencer Calls for Correct Pronunciation of African Names on Brazilian TV

Angolan influencer Albie Nguma used social media to call on Brazilian commentators and broadcasters to learn how to correctly pronounce the names of African players during the 2026 World Cup.

In a video posted online, he cites examples such as Congolese defender Chancel Mbemba, midfielder N’Golo Kanté and forward Kylian Mbappé, both from France, saying that many Brazilian media professionals usually pronounce the names incorrectly. "You do not pronounce ‘Mbappé’ by separating the ‘M’," he says.

The influencer also explains that letter combinations common in African languages, such as "Ng," represent a single sound and should not be read separately. "I understand that names like mine are difficult to pronounce, but nothing is impossible when you do research. These combinations are not separate letters; they form a single sound in several African languages," he said.

In the post, he also compared the ease with which European names are usually pronounced correctly. "If you can pronounce names like ‘Schweinsteiger,’ you can also pronounce African names," he argues.

Nguma highlighted the impact broadcasters and commentators have on the public, noting that children who share those names identify with these players on football’s biggest stage. "Imagine the frustration of hearing your own name pronounced incorrectly for 90 minutes. This is not just a matter of phonetics, it is a matter of respect," he concluded.

Read the article in the original language

News from Brazil

Receive in your email inbox a summary of the day