The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced a landmark partnership with KONAMI, the world-renowned Japanese gaming company and publisher of the globally celebrated eFootball series. Under this agreement, KONAMI becomes the Official Gaming Sponsor for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco and the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 in East Africa.
This collaboration represents a significant milestone for African football, signalling CAF’s commitment to expanding digital engagement, enhancing fan experiences, and driving global visibility for African competitions through modern gaming platforms.
The agreement, announced via CAF’s official channels, also includes strategic promotional activities designed to bring African football closer to millions of fans around the world. This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting new era where interactive entertainment, technology, and football converge to elevate the sport’s global footprint.
KONAMI, through its flagship eFootball gaming franchise, enjoys an enormous global following, particularly among young people who consume sports content in increasingly digital formats. Integrating African football into KONAMI’s gaming ecosystem is expected to position African competitions on a broader stage while giving players, fans, and gamers access to immersive virtual representations of the continent’s most prestigious tournament.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe described the partnership as a progressive step toward reinforcing CAF’s long-term vision of transforming African football and ensuring the sport remains globally competitive. He noted that the collaboration will significantly strengthen CAF’s digital presence and provide new opportunities for fans and stakeholders.
The TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Africa’s biggest football event, has experienced extraordinary growth in viewership, sponsorship, and digital engagement in recent years. With the 2023 edition attracting historic numbers across broadcast and online platforms, CAF continues to build on this momentum by aligning with technology-focused brands capable of connecting with the youth demographic that forms the backbone of global football fandom.
The inclusion of KONAMI as an Official Gaming Sponsor gives African football access to one of the world’s most powerful sports gaming communities. KONAMI’s gaming portfolio reaches hundreds of millions of players, providing an unparalleled platform for showcasing African talent, national teams, stadiums, and tournament atmospheres.
During the upcoming AFCON editions, KONAMI will roll out multiple fan-centric initiatives, including digital campaigns, in-game content drops, promotional tours, and interactive experiences designed to celebrate African football culture. This will create deeper engagement and allow supporters from across the continent—and the world—to connect with the tournament in fun, modern, and innovative ways.
The 2025 TotalEnergies AFCON in Morocco promises to be one of the most technologically advanced editions ever staged, with preparations already well underway. The continental championship will return to Morocco for the first time in decades, and the country is expected to deliver a world-class event. With KONAMI now on board, the digital experience for fans is expected to receive a major boost, building anticipation and excitement ahead of kickoff.
Looking further ahead, the 2027 tournament—set to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—will showcase East Africa on one of the biggest stages in global sport for the first time. KONAMI’s involvement is expected to contribute to the tournament’s branding, visibility, and global marketing footprint, further solidifying Africa’s place in the international football landscape.
This partnership adds to CAF’s rapidly expanding commercial portfolio, which has seen increased interest from global brands aiming to associate with Africa’s thriving football market. It also supports CAF’s strategy of modernizing operations, increasing revenue streams, and embracing digital transformation.
KONAMI officials also expressed enthusiasm about the agreement, noting that African football carries unique energy, passion, and global influence that align perfectly with their mission to connect people through interactive entertainment. The company highlighted that the partnership will allow millions of gamers to experience the excitement of African football in more engaging and authentic ways.
Beyond the entertainment aspect, the collaboration is expected to benefit grassroots development, as KONAMI has a history of supporting youth initiatives and football development programs through its global partnerships. This could open doors for future investment in youth tournaments, digital skills training, and talent discovery projects across the continent.
As CAF continues to push African football to global heights, partnerships such as this one demonstrate the transformative power of technology and digital platforms. The gaming industry, now valued in the billions, has become a central pillar of modern sports entertainment. By embracing this evolution, CAF has positioned African football as a modern, digitally connected brand ready to compete globally.
The newly signed agreement is already being celebrated across social media, with fans expressing excitement about seeing their national teams featured in KONAMI’s gaming environment. Others have praised CAF for its forward-thinking approach and willingness to embrace partnerships that reflect the changing dynamics of global football consumption.
This announcement solidifies CAF’s ambition to build a dynamic, globally competitive football ecosystem, capable of harnessing the power of technology, entertainment, and youth culture. With KONAMI now officially joining the distinguished list of AFCON sponsors, the stage is set for two upcoming editions of the tournament that promise not only world-class football, but also cutting-edge digital engagement for fans across Africa and beyond.
🔗 CAF Announcement Links:
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