DStv/Supersport has concluded arrangements to broadcast all the matches of the African Cup of Nations that gets underway on Saturday, July 17, live to its teeming viewers across the country.
Felix Awogu, general manager, Supersport West Africa, said the matches will be beamed live in high definition and that viewers should expect nothing but the usual high quality associated with DStv.
He also said that the fact Nigeria would not be at the tournament wouldn’t detract from their coverage of the biennial championship.
“We are a high quality organisation and are ready to deliver the best signal. We will dedicate Channel SS5 to the competition,”Awogu said.
“It is unfortunate that the Super Eagles will not be in Equatorial Guinea to defend their title, but that will not stop Nigerians from following the competition; Nigerians love football and will follow the championship regardless of the absence of their team.”
Awogu also said that expert analysis to be provided by a select group of retired football stars like Marcel Desailly, a French World Cup winner; Sammy Kuffour, ex-Ghanaian defender; South Africa’s Shawn Bartlett and Benny McCarthy, would be on hand to give informed analysis of the matches.
Martin Mabutho, general manager marketing and sales for Multichoice, also speaking in the same vein said viewers should expect the best in terms of quality and differentiation. “Viewers will see the matches as if they are at the stadiums live. It promises to be exciting,” he said.
General Manager GOtv, Elizabeth Amkpa, added that both existing and new subscribers would be able to watch 16 of the 32 matches live on the GOtv pay platform.
Desailly’s expert opinion is highly sought-after by broadcasters around the world given that he has won almost all there is to win by an international. His honours include the FIFA World Cup and Confederations Cup, the Euro Championship, the Uefa Champions League and Super Cup as well as many domestic league and cup titles.
The analysts will also lend their expert opinion and knowledge to Masterplan, a show which unpacks the matches from a tactical point of view. Masterplan is one of two weekly magazine shows that will be available on SuperSport, the other being Harambe, which will bring viewers even closer to the action through social media interaction and the sights and sounds of Equatorial Guinea. Harambe will be anchored by Chiko Lawi.
Analysing matches in an hour-long build-up and hour-long wrap is a multinational team of individuals well-versed in continental football: the South African duo of Robert Marawa and Carol Tshabalala will be based in studio.
Yaw Ampofu-Ankrah from Ghana, Franklin Tembo Jnr from Zambia and South Africa’s Sizwe Mabena are the roving reporters in Equatorial Guinea bringing the viewer pre- and post-match interviews as well as fans’ reaction.
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