The Confederation of African Football has taken a decisive step into the fast-growing world of competitive gaming with the launch of eAFCON, a digital counterpart to the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations. The initiative places African football on the global eSports map and signals a strategic shift in how the continent’s governing body intends to grow its brand, revenues and fan base.
CAF’s move comes through a partnership with Japanese game developer Konami, integrating the Africa Cup of Nations into its flagship football title, eFootball. For the first time, Africa’s premier international football competition will have an officially sanctioned virtual edition, allowing gamers to compete using licensed African national teams and tournament branding in a structured eSports environment.
In unveiling eAFCON, CAF framed the project as a new pillar of its commercial strategy. The organisation is seeking to diversify beyond traditional revenue sources such as ticketing, sponsorship and broadcast rights, and to tap into the booming global eSports industry, which attracts hundreds of millions of viewers and participants worldwide. By entering the eGaming space, CAF aims to connect with younger, digitally native audiences who increasingly consume sport through interactive platforms as much as through live stadium or television experiences.
CAF has described eAFCON as a significant step for the African eSports ecosystem, which has been growing rapidly but remains underdeveloped compared with markets in Europe, Asia and North America. The project is expected to create new opportunities for African gamers, content creators and tournament organisers, while also giving national football associations another avenue to promote their teams and engage supporters.
According to CAF, the digital assets generated through eAFCON will be fully integrated into its commercial portfolio from the next Africa Cup of Nations cycle. That means virtual tournament rights, in-game branding, sponsorship inventory and related digital content will be packaged alongside traditional AFCON properties when CAF negotiates with partners. The governing body believes this will strengthen its revenue base and enhance its appeal to brands seeking both physical and digital exposure.
The launch of eAFCON builds on a period of strong commercial growth for the Africa Cup of Nations. CAF has reported that the Morocco 2025 edition of the tournament has already delivered more than a 90 percent increase in revenues compared with previous cycles. This surge has been driven by a combination of expanded sponsorship deals, broader media rights distribution and entry into new territories, including China, Japan, Turkey and markets across the European Union.
CAF officials point to the retention of long-standing partners such as TotalEnergies, Orange, Lonaci, 1xBet, Visa, Tecno and Puma as evidence of the competition’s stability and appeal. At the same time, the organisation has attracted new global brands, reflecting growing confidence in African football as a commercially viable and globally relevant product. The governing body argues that the Africa Cup of Nations has evolved into one of the most valuable football properties outside the major European club competitions and FIFA’s flagship events.
By adding a digital tournament to its portfolio, CAF is attempting to future-proof that growth. eSports has become a key battleground for sports organisations seeking to remain relevant to younger demographics. Football clubs and leagues in Europe, Asia and the Americas have already invested heavily in gaming partnerships, virtual leagues and influencer collaborations. CAF’s partnership with Konami is designed to ensure that African football is not left behind in this shift.
In practical terms, eAFCON is expected to feature a structured competition format mirroring the real-life tournament, with group stages, knockout rounds and a final. While full details of qualification pathways and participation criteria are still being developed, CAF has indicated that national football associations will be involved in selecting or endorsing representatives, potentially blending professional eSports players with elite gamers from across the continent and the diaspora.
The digital tournament will also serve as a powerful marketing tool. By hosting online qualifiers, live-streamed finals and interactive fan events, CAF can extend the AFCON brand far beyond the weeks when the physical competition is played. Fans who may never have the chance to attend a match in person will be able to experience the atmosphere, rivalries and narratives of African football through their consoles, PCs and mobile devices.
For sponsors, eAFCON offers new forms of visibility. In-game advertising, branded virtual stadiums, digital kits and integrated social media campaigns can complement traditional perimeter boards and television spots. This dual presence in both physical and virtual arenas is increasingly attractive to companies seeking measurable engagement and year-round exposure.
The partnership with Konami also positions African football within a global gaming ecosystem. eFootball is played by millions worldwide, and the inclusion of an official eAFCON competition gives African teams and players a prominent platform alongside other major football properties. This visibility could help raise the profile of African national teams, encourage new fans to follow AFCON and stimulate interest in African footballers competing in leagues around the world.
Beyond commercial considerations, CAF has framed eAFCON as part of a broader mission to modernise African football and embrace digital innovation. The organisation has been under pressure to improve governance, infrastructure and competitiveness, and has increasingly turned to technology in areas such as refereeing, match analysis and fan engagement. Entering eSports is seen as a natural extension of that trajectory, aligning African football with global trends in sports entertainment.
