Orange newly signed eight-year partnership with Confédération Africaine de Football as official sponsor of 5 major CAF competitions from 2017 - 2024 ahead of the start of AFCON 2017 this weekend.

The French telecommunications firm has not revealed the value of its sponsorship it says will include the 2019 tournament in Cameroon, the 2021 tournament in Ivory Coast and the 2023 tournament in Guinea. The new contract is an extension of its original contract signed in 2008

Bruno Mettling, Deputy CEO of Orange, and CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa has hailed the new deal for the opportunities to innovate with technology that it offers the telecommunications operator.

"Football is the number one passion of our customers in Africa and the Middle East, and we're delighted that our new partnership will enable us to bring them even closer to the events and things they love. These flagship competitions in African football generate an incredible spirit of unity across communities and people, and Orange is proud to reaffirm its commitment to supporting football, as we have done for nearly 20 years. Innovations that Orange has developed, like the Orange Football Club digital platform, are particularly popular in the countries where we operate and play a vital role in supporting football fans across the region."

AFCON is the biggest football tournament on the FIFA calendar across Africa and the Middle East. Orange, which is present in 13 african countries, has also vowed to increase the value in data packages for fans in order to encourage support of the tournament.

"Launching in Mali first, Orange will be doubling the amount of data in its offers to help enable fans to stay on top of all the football action," the company added in its announcement of the extended sponsorship.