French multinational energy firm Total has entered into a wide-ranging partnership with the Confederation of African Football.
The eight-year deal, announced earlier today (Thursday), names Total as title sponsor of the flagship Africa Cup of Nations national team tournament and nine other CAF-organised competitions. The agreement will run until 2024.
The Africa Cup of Nations will officially be titled the Total Africa Cup of Nations from its 2017 edition onwards.
Total will also take on naming rights to the African Nations Championship, the Champions League, the Confederation Cup, the Super Cup, and the women’s, futsal, U23, U20 and U17 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
CAF president Issa Hayatou said: “This partnership is a major milestone in our ongoing search for additional resources to accelerate African football’s development, bring its governance up to date, upgrade its sports infrastructure and advance its performance globally.
“As a leading multinational in its field, with strong ties to Africa, Total will make a significant contribution to CAF’s initiatives to foster personal and professional growth for young Africans.”
The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations will take place in Gabon from January 14 to February 5 with the Ivory Coast set to defend its title. Telecommunications group Orange previously served as title sponsor of the Cup of Nations.