Cranes to taste Total sponsorship upon qualification

If the Uganda Cranes finally qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon they will be among the first teams to benefit from the new partnership agreement Total has signed with Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The deal that was sealed in June sees Total become the official title sponsor of African football for the next eight years. They will be title sponsors of 10 competitions; three inter-clubs and seven national.

The partnership will begin in 2017 in Gabon with the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations, which will be renamed the Total Africa Cup of Nations.

"Being the official sponsor of African football is an exceptional opportunity for us. The continent is part of our makeup. It's a cornerstone of our global presence and central to our 20-year ambition: we aim to become the preferred, local partner there," Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Total said.

He believes the sponsorship for African football tallies perfectly with Total's values much as it is an investment that benefits sports and develops brands.

"It's a way for us to show that we're part of the environment and strengthen ties with stakeholders," Saulnier stated.

"We're already working to prepare the 360-degree activation of the sponsorship contract, which will spotlight our employees and stakeholders. Higher awareness is one component of this type of partnership, but the ties created through hospitality, online presence and more are the biggest motivation,"