TECNO, the Official Global Partner of AFCON 2025 and 2027, brought together football enthusiasts and journalist communities in Nairobi yesterday to watch the quarter-finals of the tournament in a watch party event in Morocco.
Screenings were provided to fans of live coverage of Mali vs. Senegal and Morocco vs. Cameroon, filling the atmosphere with excitement as there was a celebration of African football, culture, and passion.
The event showcased how AFCON had evolved from just being a football competition to becoming a cult event that brings people together.
During the watch parties, TECNO demonstrated the evolution of the smartphone from a passive viewing device to a “smart” companion, thereby complementing the football viewing experience.
Mildred Agoya, a representative of TECNO, one of the sponsoring brands, clarified the purpose of these occasions:
“These watch parties represent our effort to bring the AFCON celebration closer to the fans and the media who share African football stories every day. As the Official Global Partner and title sponsor of AFCON 2025 & 2027, we at TECNO are excited to not only be involved in the game but in the experience as well. We are also happy to demonstrate some of the AFCON-enhanced ELLA AI capabilities such as those aimed at helping fans grasp the game results easily and benefit from the tools which make their lives easier.”
Besides live match streaming, visitors enjoyed ELLA AI Coach, which is TECNO’s artificial intelligence assistant optimized for AFCON. These AI components showcase the potential for smartphones to become active partners for soccer fans. Some primary tools used include:
Match Decoder – This analyzes formations, past results, and dynamics for insights for Kenyan fans who like discussing tactics, lineups, and outcomes.
Snap and Know – Enables the user to snap the picture of the fixture of the match and instantly receive information of the match timings, date, and ground.
“Daily Highlights” is a platform which provides a summary of the completed matches, which is beneficial in that it allows people to know the results, although they may have missed the actual
StarCam – Enables people to position themselves with celebrities and footballers in a creative manner to share.
“These aspects capture how fans on the African continent engage with football today discussing football, sharing on social platforms, getting updates on the go,” Agoya said.
Watch party events also offered a casual atmosphere for media engagement, lifestyle programs, and direct experiences of TECNO’s AI smartphones. Mac Otani of Swala Nyeti has explained the event as:
“It was refreshing to be part of these curated watch parties for AFCON, where members of the media, bloggers, and football fans can watch these matches while exploring ways in which technology is changing the face of football.”
Throughout the tournament, TECNO has been hosting football lovers, social media influencers, and journalists at various points in Nairobi, offering an element of watching matches while also engaging with the showcased technologies.
The move forms part of TECNO’s overall AFCON strategy, which involves the integration of intelligent technology in fan engagement, ease of access to information, and the essence of African football.
