Great news for African football and Yaya Touré! The Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder has been officially named Nissan’s new Ambassador to Africa, according to StarAfrica. This partnership reinforces both Touré’s iconic status in global sport and Nissan’s growing investment in African football.
🔹 Why This Matters:
Touré, a three-time African Player of the Year, is the first African footballer and third global player (after Andres Iniesta and Thiago Silva) to be named a Nissan ambassador.
Nissan is an official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League and the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2015).
The deal allows Nissan to use Touré’s image rights in campaigns across the continent.
🔹 Nissan’s Statement:
“Yaya Touré is a global icon. Our partnership with Yaya will help us bring Nissan closer to fans through Africa’s biggest football tournaments. This also strengthens our 40+ year commitment to the African market,” said Takashi Hata, Nissan Senior VP for Africa, Middle East, and India.
🔹 Touré’s Reaction:
“I’m proud to partner with Nissan through their sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League and AFCON 2015. Winning the Africa Cup of Nations has always been my dream. I look forward to sharing the excitement of these great tournaments with fans across Africa and the world.”
🌍 What This Means for African Football:
This is more than a branding deal—it’s a symbol of Africa’s growing influence in global sports marketing. With a player like Yaya Touré at the center, Nissan taps into a deeply passionate and football-crazy market while giving African fans a relatable face in global advertising.
It also continues to position AFCON not just as a continental event but a global one, with increasing international corporate backing.
