AFCON

TECNO Glory Night Awards (www.TECNO-Mobile.in), jointly organized with TikTok Live and CAF, celebrated the creativity of pan-African KOLs powered by TECNO AI. With the launch of TECNO's "Power Your Moment" campaign during AFCON, this theme has been widely recognized by KOLs, stimulating the creation of a large amount of creative content and fully showcasing their power moments in everyone's lives.

As TECNO elevates its long-standing relationship with AFCON into its new title as the Official Global Partner, the brand gathered Africa's leading digital voices for a landmark celebration in Morocco. This signature event spotlighted the influencers whose creativity, authenticity, and cultural impact embody the spirit of "Power Your Moment."

The ceremony was conceived as a tribute to the individuals who, through their creativity, narrative power, and cultural impact, are shaping the future of digital expression across Africa. Influencers from more than twenty countries attended the evening, joined by AFCON football legends, media partners, and TECNO executives. Together, they formed a rare cross-section of talent, influence, and creative leadership.

Throughout the evening, TECNO presented five major awards, each recognizing a unique dimension of creative excellence. The award winners are as follows:

The Moment Excellence Award

Presented to influencers who best captured the emotional soul of "Power Your Moment," delivering stories filled with depth, authenticity, and resonance. These winners stood out through their compelling narratives that deeply resonated with audiences across Africa. Their content showcased authentic moments of triumph and emotion, creating powerful connections that exemplified what it means to truly "Power Your Moment." Through their creative storytelling and genuine engagement, they captured hearts and inspired communities, earning recognition for their ability to transform everyday experiences into memorable digital moments.

Winners:

Nigeria: @ ultimatekombo2

Tanzania: @ eng_makelele

Morocco: @ hajar_arssalanee

"This award represents every creator across Africa who believes their story matters," said @ ultimatekombo2 from Nigeria. "TECNO has given us the tools and platform to turn our everyday moments into something powerful. This recognition inspires me to continue creating content that resonates with our communities and showcases the beauty of our shared experiences."

The Moment King/Queen Award

Celebrating the influencers whose outstanding data performance, interactions, views, and follower growth, redefined true influence during the campaign. These creators dominated the digital landscape with content that not only captured attention but sustained engagement at remarkable levels. Their ability to consistently connect with massive audiences while driving meaningful interactions demonstrated their mastery of the platform and their genuine influence within their communities.

Winners:

Nigeria: @ liquorose_

Ivory Coast: @ MIMImimitiktok0101

Senegal: @ fallu_etsesvideos

The Creative Spark Award

Recognizing influencers who consistently push the boundaries of creativity, finding novelty in the ordinary and presenting imaginative, breakthrough content. These winners transformed simple concepts into extraordinary experiences through innovative approaches and fresh perspectives. Their work challenged conventions and inspired others to see familiar moments through new creative lenses, proving that innovation thrives when imagination meets authentic expression.

Winners:

Mali: @ sagaba1

Kenya: @ therealchiche

Morocco: @ brahimlogia

@ therealchiche from Kenya expressed her excitement: "Winning the Creative Spark Award pushes me to keep innovating and breaking boundaries. The #MyPowerMoment campaign challenged us to see creativity in new ways, and I'm honored that my vision connected with audiences across the continent. This is just the beginning of what African creators can achieve."

The Visual Master Award

Awarded to influencers whose works demonstrated exceptional visual artistry, mastery of composition, color, and light, turning every frame into an aesthetic experience. These creators elevated mobile photography and videography to an art form, crafting visually stunning content that captivated audiences. Their technical excellence combined with artistic vision resulted in content that didn't just tell stories but created immersive visual journeys.

Winners:

Egypt: @ ali_hustler

Nigeria: @ jennifrank29

Cameroon: @ mayole_francine

The TECNO Partner Award

A tribute to long-term creator partners who deeply align with TECNO's brand philosophy and especially contribute to the communication of TECNO AI. They are the true companions of the brand, resonating with TECNO's vision of blending technology with human inspiration. These partners have consistently demonstrated their commitment to showcasing how TECNO's innovative AI technology empowers creators to unlock their full potential and share their unique moments with the world.

Winners:

Uganda: @ solo . md

Senegal: @ cheikhetaltesse

Nigeria: @ izziboye

"Being recognized as a TECNO Partner means everything to me," shared @ solo . md from Uganda. "TECNO AI has transformed how I create content and connect with my audience. This partnership goes beyond technology, it's about believing in African voices and giving us the resources to amplify our messages. I'm proud to represent this vision and excited for what we'll build together."

The winners were selected through the #MyPowerMoment campaign, a continent-wide call for entries that invited creators to submit original photo or video content inspired by one of four themes: Power your Glory, Power your Rise, Power your Joy and Power your Creativity. Submissions captured moments of personal transformation, pure happiness, or imagination-driven expression, reflecting the diversity of stories that define African digital culture today.

The TECNO Glory Night Awards not only celebrated achievement, they reaffirmed the brand's commitment to empowering Africa's creative ecosystem. By bringing together influencers from across the continent at AFCON, TECNO strengthens the bridge between sport, technology, and culture.

The brand's investment in the creator community aligns with its ambition to foster deeper integration between its technology offerings and the cultural forces shaping African markets. This celebration is part of a wider effort to strengthen TECNO's association with AFCON, engage creators, and elevate KOL-driven campaigns through emotionally resonant content.

As the evening concluded, the atmosphere reflected a sense of collective pride, not only for the winners but for the continent's creative momentum. The Glory Night Awards marked a defining moment for Africa's next generation of storytellers, who now carry their trophies as symbols of recognition, visibility, and their rising role in shaping Africa's digital narrative.

The night may have ended, but the moments created will continue to shine, because with TECNO, every moment has the power to become extraordinary.

Along with KOL Night Awards, TECNO curated an exclusive product experience zone: brand guides walked Joeboy through its latest devices, spotlighting AI-driven photography features tailored for content creators—aligning with the "Power Your Moment" ethos. The demo let the artist test real-time editing tools, streamlining on-the-go creative workflows.

A highlight was the 3D photo station with TECNO AI : KOLs posed with the device, which offers boosted low-light performance and portrait optimization—key capabilities to elevate their visual content. Many snapped behind-the-scenes shots instantly, turning the experience into shareable moments that mirrored the event's festive energy.

At the TECNO AI Ecosystem showcase, KOLs engaged with interactive demos: trying VR gear linked to the smart ecosystem, or testing AI translation/summarization tools on the MEGAPAD. These hands-on sessions highlighted how TECNO's interconnected tech empowers creators to expand their creative reach and efficiency.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TECNO Mobile.

About TECNO:
TECNO is an innovative, AI-driven technology brand operating in more than 70 countries across five continents. Committed to transforming the digital experience in emerging markets, the brand combines contemporary design, cutting-edge technology, and artificial intelligence. Today, TECNO offers a comprehensive AI-powered ecosystem, including smartphones, wearables, laptops, tablets, intelligent gaming devices, the HiOS operating system, and smart home solutions. Guided by its “Stop At Nothing” philosophy, TECNO continues to lead the adoption of advanced technologies and encourages individuals to relentlessly pursue the best version of themselves.

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Following the opening of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, TECNO extends its tournament presence into public spaces across Morocco through a series of TECNO AI pop-up stores and fan zones in Rabat and Casablanca. Designed to bring AI-powered innovation closer to consumers, these spaces allow visitors to experience how TECNO AI enhances everyday smartphone usage, from photography and gaming to productivity and entertainment. In total, the brand activated four experiential venues, two pop-up stores and two fan zones, with one of each established in both cities, creating a parallel rollout across Morocco's major urban centers.

The opening ceremony marked the starting point of TECNO's AFCON “Power Your Moment” campaign, welcoming invited clients, guests, and partners as the tournament officially began. From the same day, the brand opened its physical spaces to the public, shifting from a symbolic brand moment to hands-on consumer engagement.

This approach enables TECNO to stay connected with fans throughout different stages of the competition, offering repeated opportunities to discover TECNO AI features in real-life scenarios rather than limiting interaction to a single event. Special performances featuring live juggling ball demonstrations alongside African song and dance were presented on December 21 and are scheduled to return on January 18, creating a vibrant environment that blended technology, culture, and entertainment.

TECNO AI Pop-Up Stores: An Immersive Fan-First Experience

The TECNO AI pop-up stores, deployed in Casablanca and Rabat and located near Mohammed V Stadium and Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium respectively, are designed as immersive, consumer-centric environments rather than conventional retail spaces. Open for a limited period during the AFCON 2025 tournament, each location combines product discovery with interactive AI demonstrations, allowing visitors to test TECNO AI features directly across multiple touchpoints.

Upon arrival, guests are welcomed in a reception area offering complimentary gifts and guided experiences, while simple interactive challenges encourage participation and social sharing. By connecting physical interaction with digital engagement, the pop-up stores translate advanced AI technology into clear, tangible benefits that consumers can immediately understand and enjoy.

At the heart of the TECNO AI pop-up store, the AI Experience Area brings TECNO AI to life through practical, real-world applications showcased on large-format screens and interactive stations. Visitors can test TECNO AI features hands-on, discovering how AI enhances everyday moments such as photography, content creation, and daily productivity. By placing consumers directly in control of the experience, the activation positions TECNO AI not as a distant technology, but as an intuitive, accessible tool designed to make daily smartphone use smarter, easier, and more creative.

A fashion-inspired clothing swap installation offers jerseys representing the 24 national teams competing in AFCON 2025, allowing fans to express tournament allegiances while engaging in a creative, participatory activity. Nearby, the Champions Road installation invites visitors to interact with a team matchup chart using magnetic team markers, encouraging predictions and photo sharing that extend the experience beyond the physical space.

The Product Experience Area provides hands-on access to TECNO's latest smartphone lineup and connected devices, supported by on-site brand representatives. A customization station allows visitors to personalize their phones with tournament-themed back stickers, creating tangible mementos linked to the AFCON experience. Photo areas throughout the pop-up stores offer opportunities to capture moments against branded backdrops, while a CSR Culture Wall highlights TECNO's community initiatives and long-term engagement in youth development and grassroots football across Africa.

TECNO Fan Zones: Bringing Fans Together Beyond the Stadium

Alongside the TECNO AI pop-up stores, TECNO's fan zones are established in Casablanca and Rabat, located at Anfa Park and OLM Souissi respectively, as open-access community spaces operating throughout match days. Freely accessible to the public, without purchase or registration requirements, the fan zones welcome football supporters and passersby alike, emphasizing shared experience over transaction. These spaces feature relaxed product discovery areas, free photo-taking and printing services, and interactive challenges designed to encourage participation.

Skill-based football challenges, including juggling and heading activities, animate both the pop-up stores and fan zones, creating moments of spontaneous interaction and crowd engagement. Giveaway mechanics are tied to simple social media actions, while classification-style photo activities encourage visitors to capture and share moments online without competitive pressure, prioritizing participation and community visibility.

By activating simultaneously in Rabat and Casablanca and maintaining a presence across match days with special programming on key dates, TECNO establishes a sustained physical footprint throughout the AFCON period. Rather than limiting its engagement to the opening ceremony, the brand positions its pop-up stores and fan zones as ongoing touchpoints within the rhythm of the tournament, embedding technology, football, and urban culture into everyday public life during AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TECNO Mobile.

On the occasion of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, taking place from Sunday 21 December 2025 to Sunday 18 January 2026, the AFRICA24 Group (https://Africa24TV.com/) is implementing an unprecedented, immersive and multi-platform editorial deployment to offer viewers across the continent and around the world a unique and engaging experience at the heart of Africa's greatest sporting competition.

AFRICA24 is mobilizing its teams and special correspondents to deliver 360° coverage—TV, digital platforms and social media—providing an exclusive perspective on Morocco, its infrastructures, its host cities and the vibrant atmosphere of its citizens.

Full CAN Morocco 2025 coverage: https://apo-opa.co/4qrFeco

COMPREHENSIVE, EXCLUSIVE AND INNOVATIVE COVERAGE

The Group offers an exceptional daily programming lineup, in French and English, through a unique TV and digital system that includes:

MAROC : AFRICA - A Journey Through the Continent's Showcase 

At the heart of Morocco's Royal Vision for Africa, AFRICA24 presents an unparalleled journey into the development of this flagship nation: from industry to craftsmanship, from finance to diplomacy, from geopolitical influence to major international events—the Kingdom of Morocco shines for Africa.

JT CAN - THE DAILY AFCON NEWS JOURNAL

All match summaries, results, reactions, analyses and behind-the-scenes moments, with full immersion alongside each team and their supporters.

Africa 24 Football Club :26-MINUTE ANALYSIS MAGAZINE

Every day, AFRICA24 delivers expert analysis on matches, tactical issues, team performances, portraits of players and coaches, inspiring stories and the journeys of former African internationals.

A magazine crafted to the rhythm of a historic Morocco 2025 AFCON.

AFRICA24 GROUP – 360° COVERAGE

Global broadcasting reaching 120 million households

With Africa24, Together, let's transform Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AFRICA24 Group.

Press Contact:
Communication Department – AFRICA24 Group
Gaëlle Stella Oyono
Email: onana@africa24tv.com
Phone: +237 691 30 03 40

Follow us:
@ africa24tv
https://Africa24TV.com/

ABOUT AFRICA24 GROUP:
Founded in 2009, the Africa24 Group is the leading TV and digital media publisher on the continent, with four full HD channels distributed across major broadcasting platforms. A leader among decision-makers and executives, Africa24 in French and Africa24 English are pioneers and leaders in African news broadcasting.

Africa24 strengthened this leadership through sports with Africa24 Sport, the first African channel dedicated to sports news and competitions, and Africa24 Infinity, the first channel dedicated to creative industries showcasing the artistic and cultural talent of Africa's youth.

As the continent's leading audiovisual brand, AFRICA24 Group operates four full HD television channels, each a leader in its segment:

• AFRICA24 TV: Leader in African news in French, published by AMedia
   
• AFRICA24 English: Leader in African news exclusively in English
   
• AFRICA24 Infinity: The creative talent channel dedicated to music, art, culture
   
• AFRICA24 Sport: The first channel dedicated to sports information and competitions
   

The AFRICA24 Group also operates myafrica24 (Google Play Store and App Store), the first global HD streaming platform dedicated to Africa, available on all screens (TV, tablets, smartphones, computers).

More than 120 million households have access to Africa24 channels through major operators such as Canal+, Bouygues, Orange, Bell… and more than 8 million followers across digital and social platforms.

For the 17th consecutive year, Orange (www.Orange.com) is proud to announce its sponsorship of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 that will take place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

As a major telecommunications player, the Group provides connectivity and innovative services to ensure an optimal experience for fans, players and media across the continent. For this edition held in Morocco, ten of the national teams are from countries where Orange operates, and six are sponsored by Orange.

This partnership reflects the shared commitment of Orange and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to promote inclusive, innovative and accessible African football.

Max it: the AI enriched super-app at the heart of the fan experience

With over 22 million active users across 15 countries, the Max it mobile app will be at the core of Orange's digital offering during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025. This all-in-one super-app enhances the supporters' experience through the “Digital Fan Zone,” allowing real-time updates on the competition. It will also enable users to watch matches live, access interviews and summaries, and even create their avatar to share their passion for football within their community.

This space is complemented by a conversational bot, “MaxGoal,” equipped with advanced artificial intelligence technology. MaxGoal can instantly respond to fans' questions (schedule, results, standings, etc.) in French, English, or Arabic, and also understands some local languages like Wolof or Darija for an even more inclusive experience.

A tournament under the sign of inclusion

Additionally, Orange will set up physical Fan Zones in several African countries to allow everyone to experience the competition in a friendly atmosphere. In Morocco, solidarity Fan Zones will be created within 25 local associations, including youth centers, for the benefit of children from urban and rural areas. These spaces will be equipped by Orange with screens, connectivity, and technical devices, ensuring equitable access and an immersive experience for all.

In the same spirit, Orange Digital Center Champions 2025, organized ahead of the football tournament, brought together over 1,300 young talents from 14 African and Middle Eastern countries around coding challenges. This initiative illustrates Orange's commitment to fostering dialogue between sport and innovation, celebrating African talent, creativity, and youth.

Yasser Shaker, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, comments: "We are proud of our partnership with CAF, because football is more than just a sport — it's a shared passion that unites and empowers communities across Africa. This year, with Max it, we are bringing our digital vision to life by delivering a fully integrated experience. Our customers can now immerse themselves in the excitement of the AFCON fan zone and experience the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 — closer than ever to the action. This initiative reflects our deep commitment to supporting our customers' love for football and creating unforgettable moments that inspire and bring together millions across the continent. Together, we celebrate the spirit of football — a symbol of hope, unity, and shared dreams.”

Whether in Africa or Europe, Orange is committed to the sustainable development of football and the promotion of diversity. Sport, and football in particular, is a powerful vector of inclusion that connects millions of people, bridges cultures, and inspires African youth. Through innovation and solidarity, Orange continues to affirm its role as a key player in the development of sport on the continent.

Orange has been the official and exclusive global telecom partner of CAF since 2008. In this role, Orange is currently supporting the continent's major competitions, including:

• CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024
• CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025
• TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025
• CAF School Championship 2025/26

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Orange Middle East and Africa.

Press Contacts:
Stella Fumey
stella.fumey@orange.com

Tom Wright
tom.wright @orange.com

Follow us on:
X: @ orangegrouppr

About Orange:
Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with revenues of 40.3 billion euros in 2024 and 124,600 employees worldwide at 30 June 2025, including 68,700 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 300 million customers worldwide at 30 June 2025, including 262 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. These figures account for the deconsolidation of certain activities in Spain following the creation of MASORANGE. The Group is present in 26 countries (including non-consolidated countries).

Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan "Lead the Future", built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. "Lead the Future" capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange's leadership in service quality.

Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA).

For more information on the internet and on your mobile: www.Orange.com, www.Orange-Business.com and the Orange News app.

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

About Orange Africa and Middle East (OMEA):
Orange is present in 18 countries in Africa and the Middle East and has more than 173 million customers at 30 November 2025. With 7.7 billion euros of revenues in 2024, Orange MEA is the first growth area in the Orange group. Orange Money, its flagship mobile-based money transfer and financial services offer is available in 17 countries and has more than 100 million customers. Orange, multi-services operator, key partner of the digital transformation provides its expertise to support the development of new digital services in Africa and the Middle East.

Join us as Davido takes the stage with hip-hop icon French Montana, Moroccan sensation Douaa Lahyaoui, French-Moroccan hitmaker Lartiste, and rising star Says'z! Discover the exciting lineup in this must-see event, brought to you by Africazine.

As the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 approaches, AliExpress (www.AliExpress.com), the global e-commerce marketplace by Alibaba International Digital Commerce, is calling all football enthusiasts across the continent to prepare for match day with a wide range of game-viewing gear, lifestyle products, and football essentials at affordable prices.

Shoppers from many markets, including Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, Kenya, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa and Uganda, can now enjoy tailored discounts and shopping coupons by searching “African football event” directly on AliExpress.

Match Viewing Essentials: Gear Up with AliExpress

AliExpress makes it easy for fans to prepare for match days with must-have items at affordable prices. Shoppers can explore:

Fan Gear: Jerseys, scarves, flags, and face paint kits to show team pride.
Home Viewing Accessories: Party lights, soundbars, and Bluetooth speakers to enhance the atmosphere.
Match-Day Comfort: Blankets, power banks, and compact football gear for fans and players alike.
Outdoor Essentials: Sunglasses, UV-blocking clothing, and portable chargers for sunny match days.

With everything from cheering gear to home-viewing upgrades, AliExpress has fans covered.

Search “African football event” on AliExpress to Get Special Coupons

AliExpress invites African football fans to search “AFCON” on its platform to gain access to shopping coupons and special discounts on game-day accessories, home-viewing products, and football-themed items. First-time users can explore free shipping opportunities and welcome deals during this campaign.

“Whether watching from the comfort of your home or celebrating with friends in the stands, AliExpress makes it easy to shop for everything you need for celebrating the biggest football event of the continent,” added Zhao. “As Africa's football fever rises, we're proud to connect with shoppers across the continent during this celebration of unity and sport.”

Africa represents one of the fastest-growing e-commerce ecosystems in the world, and AliExpress has played a key role in enhancing online shopping experiences. Through localized payment solutions like M-Pesa (Kenya), Opay (Nigeria), Telebirr (Ethiopia), and Vodapay, AliExpress makes it simple for consumers to shop in local currencies. Logistics partnerships ensure reliable and efficient delivery across markets, with orders delivered in as little as 10 to 20 days for football fans.

“Africa is not just a continent where AliExpress operates—it's one of our most exciting regions, where football brings communities together in celebration and pride,” said Bonnie Zhao, General Manager at AliExpress Africa. “From affordable products for fans to tools that empower local entrepreneurs, this campaign reflects our continued commitment to African consumers and their love for football.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AliExpress.

About AliExpress: 
Launched in 2010, AliExpress is a business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce platform that allows consumers to buy directly from manufacturers and distributors in China and around the world. In addition to the English version, the AliExpress platform is also available in 15 other languages. AliExpress is part of the Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group. 

On the evening of 21 December 2025, a football match will kick off between Morocco and Comoros in Rabat. It will be the opening game of the 35^th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF African Cup of Nations (TotalEnergies CAF AFCON) tournament. The game will have an audience of millions.

There will likely be a full house of 68,000-odd fans at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, but the overwhelming majority of fans will watch the game via streaming and television, from across the African continent – and the world.

At the previous TotalEnergies CAF AFCON tournament in 2024, the semi-final match between South Africa and Nigeria had a record-breaking audience (https://apo-opa.co/4rJl26Z) of 10.3 million. The tournament itself had an estimated cumulative total viewership of 1.4 billion TV viewers.

The sale of broadcast rights to reach this enormous audience provides the income that makes the tournament possible. Media businesses invest billions in securing the feed for their home markets. In sub-Saharan Africa, those rights (https://apo-opa.co/4iGjuXm) have been secured by MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, through SuperSport, its sports broadcasting affiliate.

Beyond rights payments, media investment sustains an entire economy that runs for the duration of the month-long tournament. Film crews, accommodation, logistics, and catering are hired by broadcast teams.

Media funds football

Broadcast licence fees also finance the Confederation of African Football (CAF) itself, the body that administers football on the continent. In many ways, media coverage funds football. Revenue from broadcast rights underpin the development programmes that find talent at youth level, and help to nurture it.

Media income funds infrastructure that makes football possible – the fields, the kits, the match officials, the transport, the administrators. At the top level, media income funds national teams, the coaching teams, and the elite training camps, so they can attend the continental showpiece, where they carry hopes and dreams of their nations.

However, the entire football edifice is a precarious one, heavily dependent on the ability of official media partners to recoup the multi-million-dollar costs of broadcast rights. If broadcaster income from subscriptions, contracts and pay-per-view sales does not cover rights fees, then ultimately, football dies.

Only large media businesses, with the advantage of regional scale, are able to fund the costs of media sports coverage. Perversely, their business model is threatened because the same sports events they bring to their viewers are prime targets of content piracy.  

Viewers might not see the harm of accessing a pirate stream, but the impact runs deep. Where a subscription paid to a legitimate rightsholder would help to fund African football, any income earned by a pirate stream goes directly to criminal syndicates in other parts of the world.

Content piracy undermines football. It robs football associations of the funding they desperately need to survive, to develop youth structures and to compete at the highest level. It's therefore critical that sports fans understand the damage they do to the sport they supposedly love when they use pirate streams.

The impact is global. In Spain, LaLiga (https://apo-opa.co/4oC1TRL) reported that audiovisual fraud was costing Spanish football €600 and €700-million. In the UK, the Premier League blocked more than 600,000 illegal live streams (https://apo-opa.co/4pt6VRU) in a single season in its fight against piracy.

Pirate websites also place users at risk, exposing them to malware, hacking and identity theft, as well as unwanted pop-ups, viruses, fraud and adult content. When football content is spread across hundreds of thousands of sites, it also becomes harder to measure audiences, and makes the sport less attractive to sponsors.

Fight to save the game

Helping to fight sports piracy and keep football alive are initiatives such as Partners Against Piracy, which work to strengthen legal frameworks to prosecute pirate sites and pirate users, and to educate fans about the consequences of piracy.

Cybersecurity organisations like Irdeto harness tech and digital solutions (https://apo-opa.co/4aB6nog) to protect streams and track the source and the users of pirate feeds. For instance, a new innovation enables continuous renewal of authentication keys, which degrades the pirate experience and shifts users back to legal platforms.

The best partner in the fight to save football from piracy is the African public. Knowing how piracy destroys the football ecosystem empowers fans to make ethical choices in how they support their sport and makes them more likely to access games through legitimate channels.

As a fan, when you watch football content, the choice is yours: Will you be part of destroying football, or building it up? Choose wisely, the future of your sport depends on it.  

• To report content piracy, contact Partners Against Piracy on any of these channels:
  • International Hotline: +27 11 289 2684
  • piracy@multichoice.co.za
  • mcg@irdeto.com
  • supersport@irdeto.com
  • Visit: https://apo-opa.co/44KEGpm

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MultiChoice Group.