Zakumi Comic Strips - New to FIFA.com
Starting today, FIFA.com will give you the opportunity to keep up with the adventures of our favourite leopard, Zakumi - the Official Mascot for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

Zakumi now has his very own comic strip, detailing the ups and downs of his journey to next year's world finals. The strips have been created by Stephen Francis and Rico, the creative minds behind the successful Madam and Eve comic strip in South Africa, and will be published in all major South African newspapers every weekend running up to the kick-off of the competition.

Zakumi's Adventures - The Beginnings
Zakumi's love affair with football began in a large game reserve in South Africa. One day, Zakumi was playing with his friends, minding his own business when a round object fell off a truck and landed at his feet.

'What is this?' thought Zakumi. 'A black and white coconut? A large bouncy ostrich egg?'

What was for sure was that when Zakumi played with this object with his feet, he had some very special skills - he could run, dribble and pass like no-one else. Zakumi soon became the most famous resident of the game reserve, showing off his skills to all of his fans.

Zakumi realised he had to leave the reserve to fulfil his destiny, and he has therefore set off on a huge adventure through Africa. On this journey he will learn lots about places, customs and traditions of the continent, as well as showing off his remarkable football skills.

This will lead him to South Africa in 2010, when the world of football will join our leopard in celebrating the biggest football festival in the world!

Follow Zakumi's travels through the new comic strips which will be published every week on FIFA.com.