(From William Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent in Luanda, Angola, courtesy Ministry of Youth and Sports)

Luanda, Angola, Jan. 26, GNA - Standard Bank Group Limited, one of Africa's leading financial institutions has signed a six year sponsorship deal with the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF).

The deal which makes Standard Bank the sole financial service sponsor of CAF will cover five tournaments under the auspices of the continent's soccer controlling body.

The tournaments include the biannual Orange Africa Cup of Nations till 2016, the 2011 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) and Orange Africa Youth Championship (Under-20), which will run till 2015. The partnership will also cover the two tournaments meant for Clubs; Orange Confederations Cup and Orange CAF Champions League organized annually till 2016.

Clive Tasker, Chief Executive Officer of Standard Bank, Africa said the decision to partner CAF over an eight year period was driven by the Bank's growing presence as a leading emerging market on the continent and emphasizes it's commitment to helping develop African football.

"It is appropriate that Standard Bank, which has an association with Africa that stretches for almost 150 years and a large presence on the continent, should be a key sponsor of African football.

"We are proud to have a long standing commitment with CAF which showcases Africa's accomplishments in the sport through tournaments that attract continental and global audience. It is because of our desire to make meaningful connections with communities in which we operate across the continent that we have become a sponsor of the event till 2016." He stated. Mr Tasker said the Bank has been granted a full service banking license in Angola and the partnership will allow them to establish meaningful connections through their passion for African football.

The Standard Bank operates in 17 African countries including Ghana where it operates Stanbic Ghana Limited.

The group also has 21 branches in other countries including key financial institutions in Europe, Asia and the United States of America (USA). 26 Jan. 10