Apple Music is bridging the gap between the pitch and the playlist with the launch of its new exclusive series, The Warm Up. The curated campaign taps some of Africa’s most celebrated football stars, offering fans an intimate look at the sonic landscapes soundtracking their pre-match routines, locker room rituals, and heavy-focused, head-in-the-game preparation before they step into the stadium lights.
Fusing football culture with the continent’s unstoppable musical pulse, “The Warm Up” dives deep into how music drives elite performance, mental stamina, and emotional alignment. The rollout features personally curated playlists and exclusive conversations with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana staples, including Themba Zwane, Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba, Bongani Zungu, and rising defensive talent Malibongwe Khoza, as well as Ghana’s Black Stars heavyweights, Gideon Mensah and Jordan Ayew.
The players’ selections span the rich, diverse sounds of Amapiano, Afrobeats, Afro-Pop, and Hip-Hop, revealing a deep-rooted connection between rhythm and an athletic mindset. Across the tracklists, the poignant sounds of heavyweights like Kabza De Small, Sjava, Dave, Tems, AKA, and Zee Nxumalo become the backdrops for moments of deep reflection, raw motivation, and ultimate composure before the referee’s whistle blows.
Aubrey Modiba: “For me, music is more about controlling my nerves than getting hyped. Before games, there’s always pressure and expectation. Music helps me stay relaxed and not overthink things before kick-off.” Modiba keeps Cassper Nyovest’s “Baby Girl” on heavy rotation when he needs to center himself. “This is one of those chilled songs that takes my mind away from football a bit. It reminds me of family, love, and the people waiting for you at home after all the noise from the game.”
Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane echoes that grounding sentiment, viewing music as a protective shield against high-stakes pressure. “It’s not always about getting hyped. Sometimes it’s about reflection, gratitude, and reminding yourself why you play the game.” Zwane points to “Abangani” by Sjava ft. Emtee & Saudi, as a necessary reality check, “I like how this song talks about friendships, loyalty, and fake love. As you grow in life and football, you learn that not everybody around you has good intentions. It reminds me to stay close to the genuine people.”
Midfield maestro Teboho Mokoena explains how a single track can shift the entire energetic frequency of match day. “Some days you need calmness, other days you need fire. The right song can completely change your energy when walking into a stadium.” For Mokoena, Kabza De Small’s star-studded “Imithandazo” (featuring Young Stunna, DJ Maphorisa & Sizwe Alakine) holds that exact power, “‘Imithandazo’ is powerful because it speaks about prayer, pressure, and surviving difficult moments. Football tests you mentally all the time, so I connect with that message deeply. It reminds me to stay grounded no matter how big the stage is.”
Representing Ghana’s Black Stars, defender Gideon Mensah uses his playlist to prep for the psychological weight of 90 minutes. “There are certain games where I need to be laser-focused to get the maximum results, and there are others where I need to be level-headed – and music helps me do that.” While his taste spans the globe, Dancehall cuts like “Stay to Myself,” “Where Is the Love,” and “Jireh” form the backbone of his pre-game rotation.
Meanwhile, forward Jordan Ayew relies on the bounce of his hometown sounds to shift gears. “I’m a very calm person naturally, so music helps me get into the right frame of mind before the game starts. It gets me hyped.” He adds, “I listen to a lot of Afrobeats. I grew up on Azonto, so falling in love with Afrobeats now is just the natural progression. Anything Wizkid and Rema, you’ll find me there. I love King Promise too, I think he’s one of Ghana’s biggest stars putting on for the country at the moment.”
For Bongani Zungu, the pre-game playlist functions as a spiritual toolkit. “Some songs help me meditate and lock in before kick-off.” Avicii’s soaring anthem “Without You” remains a non-negotiable for him. “This song is incredible. The beat and lyrics really motivate me and remind me to keep working hard.”
Closing out the defensive line, rising star Malibongwe Khoza emphasizes how music creates a healthy boundary between his mental peace and the chaos of the pitch. “Football is emotional and high-pressure. Music helps me stay balanced. It puts me in a space where I feel focused, sharp, and ready to perform.” His ultimate go-to? Gunna & Future’s “Too Easy”. “Sometimes, before a game, you need music that reminds you to trust yourself and enjoy the moment. This track gives me that feeling.”
The Warm Up playlists offer an authentic, unfiltered window into the anthems and sub-genres guiding Africa’s sports icons when the cameras are off, solidifying the undeniable, symbiotic relationship between professional sports and contemporary African music culture.
Stream the full playlists now exclusively on Apple Music.
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