(Business in Cameroon) - The French oil group Total and the Confederation of African Football (Caf), chaired by Cameroonian Issa Hayatou, announced on 21 July 2016 having reached an agreement making Total the “main Sponsor” of African football for the next eight years. Therefore, we learn, the next AfCON, which will take place in Gabon from 14 January to 5 February 2017, will be labelled “Total Africa Cup of Nations”.

“This partnership is a major step in our continuing search for additional resources which will enable African football to speed up its development, to be more modern by improving its governance, its sports infrastructure as well as its performances at the global level. Total, as a multinational among the leaders in its sector pf activity, with strong ties to the African continent, will greatly contribute to Caf’s desire to always work toward the development of the African youth”, Issa Hayatou declared, whose country will organise the 2019 AfCON.

According to Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of Total, through this sponsoring of African football, Total wishes to strengthen its links and proximity with its stakeholders and clients, through popular and festive competitions which generate real passion, including among the teams of this oil firm. As “main Sponsor” of the 10 competitions organised by Caf, we learn, Total will be present during over 1,500 matches spread through the different competitions which are: The Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON); the African Nations Championship (CHAN); CAF’s clubs competitions (CAF Champions League, Confederation Cup and Super Cup); youth competitions (U-23, U-20, U-17); the Africa Women Cup of Nations; and the African Futsal Cup of Nations.

BRM