SEOUL, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Samsung Electronics, Co., South Korea's top electronics brand, announced Monday its agreement with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the African football representative, to be an official sponsor of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (ACN), ANGOLA 2010 this month.

    Under the agreement, which is part of a four-year agreement set to conclude in 2012, the CAF will feature the Samsung brand in its "Samsung Fair Player Award" presented after each match and at the end of the tournament, while providing enormous promotion opportunities at product exhibitions, hospitality programs, and outdoor advertisements throughout the tournament, the company said.

    Samsung, on the other hand, will supply electronics and telecommunications equipment for smoother operation of the Orange ACN 2010, it said.

    "Through our sponsorship of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations, Samsung will connect with loyal and dedicated football fans, ensuring that the Samsung brand gains ongoing exposure and recognition in the African region," said Gyehyun Kwon, Vice President and Head of Worldwide Sports Marketing at Samsung.

    Samsung has been placing emphasis on utilizing football as a major sports marketing platform, as it also sponsors the Chelsea football club of the English Premier League, the company said.

    The African Cup of Nations, founded in 1957, is held every two years as the main football competition in Africa, and it boasts a tremendous following as the popularity of football continues to grow exponentially in the region.