Accra, Oct. 1, GNA - The Angola 2010 Orange Africa Cup of Nations Trophy tour took off officially on Thursday, October 1, in the Ghanaian capital, Accra.

The trophy tour, an initiative of Stanbic Bank, sponsors of the continental showpiece event in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is aimed at whipping up the enthusiasm of soccer fans across the continent ahead of next year's tournament. The tour, initiated in the run-up to the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations also affords soccer fans across the continent a lifetime opportunity of coming into close contact with the Italy-designed gold-plated original trophy of the competition.

Ghana marks the first stop of a tour of seven countries where Standard Bank, parent company of Stanbic Bank Ghana operates. Mr Alhassan Andani, Managing Director of Stanbic Bank Ghana in an address at a press conference on Thursday, said sponsorship of the event is enough testimony among others of his outfit's contribution to the development of the game on the continent.

He also announced that Standard Bank, which serves as the Financial Service Providers of the continent's soccer governing body, CAF, has extended their partnership with the latter till 2016, "which further emphasizes our commitment to the growth of the passion of the nation." Mr Andani said the tour brings the tourney and trophy close to the fans and gives them the privilege to be part of the biggest football 'party' on the African continent.

Sarah El Gazzar, Assistant to the Marketing Director of CAF commended the financial outfit for the initiative which creates more awareness to the continent's flagship football event. Ex-Black Stars captain, Abedi Pele Ayew, who is the Ambassador for the Trophy tour for the second time expressed delight at the opportunity given him to promote and begin event of the Africa Cup of Nations in his home country.

Ayew described the role of fans in football as critical, therefore he lauded the event which gives fans a reason to be part of the January 10 to January 31, 2010 event a step in the tight direction. Nii Nortey Dua, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports pledged his outfit's support for the event, which he said, brings nostalgic moments. He congratulated Stanbic Bank for supporting the event while stressing on the unifying factor played by football in national development.

Earlier the trophy made a stop over at the Osu Castle, the seat of Government with a call on the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama. The tour, which terminates on Saturday, October 3rd will be climaxed with a visit to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, a parade through some principal streets of Accra and a mini gala among staffs of Stanbic Bank Ghana at the Accra Technical Training Center (ATTC). From Ghana, the Trophy tour will move to Zambia, through Uganda, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and finally to Angola. 01 Oct. 09