Enzo Maresca calls for bananas at Etihad for Man City‑Ipswich Carabao Cup 2026

Background: Maresca, the Cup tie and the banana idea

Enzo Maresca, the former Italian midfielder who now serves as assistant manager to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, has become known for his colourful comments in the press pool. Ahead of the Carabao Cup second‑round match against Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium, the 42‑year‑old sparked headlines by saying he would love to see the stands filled with inflatable bananas. The remark was made during a routine pre‑match interview with the club’s media team and quickly went viral on social media.

The fixture itself is a low‑stakes encounter for a side that is already competing on three fronts – the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup. Manchester City, the defending league champions, are expected to field a mixed XI, giving fringe players a chance to prove themselves. For a club that routinely sells out the Etihad, the idea of adding a quirky visual element to the atmosphere is a way to keep the excitement high, even when the opposition is from the lower tiers of English football.

The banana stunt: where the idea comes from

The suggestion of banana‑shaped inflatables is not entirely without precedent. In 2020, a Dutch club used giant fruit balloons to celebrate a local harvest festival, and in 2023 the MLS side LA Galaxy partnered with a tropical fruit brand for a “Pineapple Party” that boosted ticket sales by 12 percent. Maresca’s comment taps into that growing trend of using playful props to create a shareable stadium experience that fans can post on TikTok and Instagram.

What makes the banana proposal particularly striking is its simplicity. A standard 3‑metre inflatable costs roughly £30 to produce, and a batch of a hundred would cost less than £3,000 – a modest outlay for a club that generates millions in match‑day revenue. The visual impact, however, could be far larger, turning a routine cup tie into a memorable spectacle that draws media attention far beyond the usual football headlines.

Why it matters: commercial potential and African market links

Bananas are a major export commodity for several African nations, notably Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the continent supplied over 10 million tonnes of bananas to the global market in 2025, with the United Kingdom being one of the top import destinations. A stadium‑wide banana theme could therefore open a door for Manchester City to partner with African growers or trade bodies, turning a novelty stunt into a platform for promoting sustainable sourcing and fair‑trade initiatives.

Such a partnership would fit neatly into City’s broader commercial strategy, which already includes collaborations with African‑focused brands like the South African sportswear label PUMA Africa and the Nigerian fintech firm Flutterwave. By linking the banana visual to an African supply chain, the club could showcase its commitment to the diaspora market, a demographic that accounts for an estimated 3 million Nigerian‑born residents in the UK alone. The move could also generate positive PR in the continent, where football clubs are increasingly seen as ambassadors for development projects.

Reactions: fans, media and the African diaspora

Initial reactions on Twitter were a mix of amusement and curiosity. Hashtags such as #BananaManCity and #EtihadFruitFrenzy trended for several hours, with many supporters posting memes of banana‑dressed players. A few fans even suggested that the club could hand out real bananas at halftime as a nod to the “fruitful” partnership idea.

Members of the African diaspora in London, many of whom work in the city’s fruit‑import sector, welcomed the notion of a high‑profile club acknowledging a product that is part of their cultural heritage. In a short interview, a Kenyan‑born market trader told the BBC that seeing bananas on the Etihad could “put a spotlight on the hard work our farmers do back home”. While some pundits dismissed the stunt as a publicity gimmick, others argued that it reflects a broader shift toward inclusive, culturally resonant fan experiences.

What’s next: potential partnerships and the future of fan‑centric stunts

If the banana concept proves successful on match day – measured by social‑media engagement, merchandise sales or even a modest bump in ticket revenue – Manchester City could roll it out as a template for future cup ties or even league fixtures. The club’s commercial department is reportedly already in talks with the Uganda Export Promotion Board about a co‑branding deal that would feature the country’s “Bananas of the Pearl” label on official City merchandise.

Beyond the immediate financial upside, the stunt could signal a new era of fan‑centric activations that deliberately reference global supply chains and cultural symbols. Other Premier League clubs may follow suit, looking for low‑cost yet high‑visibility ideas that resonate with specific ethnic or regional communities. For African producers, the prospect of seeing their fruit on a world‑class football stage could translate into new export contracts, especially as European retailers continue to seek ethically sourced produce.

Quick Answers

What did Enzo Maresca say about bananas at the Etihad?
He joked that he would love to see inflatable bananas filling the stands for Manchester City’s Carabao Cup match against Ipswich.

How could a banana stunt benefit African banana exporters?
A partnership could give African growers exposure to the UK market, linking the visual stunt to fair‑trade branding and potentially boosting export sales.

When is Manchester City playing Ipswich in the Carabao Cup?
The match is scheduled for the weekend of 17 October 2026 at the Etihad Stadium.

Source: www.espn.com