Perennial underachievers at both the broader African Nations Cup and the FIFA World Cup, where Zimbabwe were recently banned by the world soccer governing body, there can be no gainsaying the fact that a bigger and more rewarding Cosafa Cup could be the country’s only source of pride.
So, when the Council of Southern African Football Associations recently announced the signing of two major sponsors ahead of the 2015 edition of the tournament, the joy should have been as much theirs as Zimbabwe’s ahead of the forthcoming edition.
A new sponsorship agreement with Castle Lager will see Africa’s beer once again take on the role of brand partners for the COSAFA men’s senior competition and renew ties with Southern Africa’s biggest football tournament.
Coming on board for the first time will be Austrian energy drink, Power Horse, which will be a sponsor for all Cosafa events in 2015 as they reiterate their commitment to football on the continent. They also sponsored the African Nations Championship 2014 in South Africa.
Castle Lager have a rich history with the Cosafa senior competition, having been inaugural sponsors of the event from 1997 until their initial contract ended in 2007. They became synonymous with the event and have returned to continue that relationship with the aim of helping football in the region grow to greater heights.
“We are thrilled to have Castle Lager back on board as a brand partner for our flagship competition, the COSAFA Cup,” said Cosafa President, Suketu Patel.
“The Castle Lager brand is well known across Southern Africa and they will be popular partners for the tournament to be staged in South Africa in 2015. We have always valued their partnership over many years of our association with them and look forward to not only another fine event with Castle Lager on board for 2015, but also into the future as well.”
Castle Lager General Manager Alastair Hewitt said the beer brand was also excited about continuing their partnership with the Cosafa Cup and also the entry of Ghana and Tanzania into this year’s event.
“As a pioneering sponsor of the Cosafa Cup from its start in 1997, Castle Lager is excited to be involved again this year in what is a major event for not just for our region, but for the continent,” said Hewitt.
“Football is the game of the people of Africa, Castle Lager is the beer of Africa and the Cosafa Cup provides us with the opportunity to bring together not only teams from our Southern Africa region, but also this year from the West and East of the continent in guest countries Ghana and Tanzania. Proof that It All Comes Together With A Castle.
“At Castle Lager we are passionate about football having been involved in the game for almost 60 years and into the future we aim to assist the COSAFA Cup to grow to another level for the benefit of the whole of our region and its loyal Superfans.”
Post published in: Football