AFCON 2017 Hairstyles Fashion Identity Construction of Selected Players

Abstract

Art forms play varied roles in the game of football. Of the art forms engaged during the game, one that has received little academic attention is the hairstyle of the players fielded. This article is an attempt at creating a photo-documentation of eccentric hairstyles of selected players and examines the use of these hairstyles in negotiating individual identity construction and as maker of self-actualisation in the AFCON, Gabon 2017. Descriptive research tool under the qualitative research approach constituted the research design for the study. Eleven players were purposively sampled for the study. In addition, forty-four (44) professional footballers were also sampled using simple random sampling technique. Instruments used in gathering data were photographs, observation checklist and questionnaire for the purpose of triangulation. Simple descriptive analysis and photographic analysis were the data analysis methods used. The study revealed that African football players use their eccentric hairstyles to construct their individual fashion identities, signal self-actualisation, become fashion role model to the youth, and eventually influence hairstyle fashion