AFCON 2021: Other Brewery Companies ‘Illegally’ Bypassing UCB

To the frustration of Cameroonians, the natural supporter of the AFCON hasn’t been given its real place in the stadiums since the opening of the competition on January 9, with the drinks of other brewery companies that lurks in the stadiums.

Union Camerounaise de Brasseries (UCB), national supporter of the competition, should be the only brewery company to have products in the stadiums of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which is currently taking place on Cameroonian soil.

The MADIBA mineral water which is the water marketed by UCB should be the only water available in the stadiums and official AFCON zones, as well as the SPECIAL juice range and its various flavors.

Yet, it is with amazement that the products of other companies roam the stadiums of the AFCON.

In Douala during the Algeria – Siéra Leone meeting, several bottles of water not marketed by UCB ended up in the JAPOMA Stadium, as in Garoua on the first day. Even more serious during the opening ceremony at the Olembé Stadium when Cameroonian singer Stanley ENOW entered the scene with a AFCON Title Sponsor jersey, but unfortunately with a bottle of water that was not not MADIBA.

Facts which are serious enough to be noted, because as an identified ‘drink sponsor’ of the competition, the Union Camerounaise de Brasseries must have the exclusive presence of drinks in all the official spaces of the AFCON.

Two questions can therefore arise about this state of affairs and the first is whether CAF has really put in place measures to enforce the exclusivity of the products of its partner UCB. Of course, the teams are well supplied by MADIBA water, which quenches the thirst of those involved in the field. But outside, more drastic measures should be taken so that only Union Camerounaises des Brasseries products are distributed. The other question could be raised about the availability of UCB products in sufficient quantity in the stadiums, in order to serve all those who are there, at least, the personalities and accredited persons of the African Football Confederation. At Japoma stadium, reporters complained about the insufficient amount of water, although some said there was obviously Madiba water in the reserves, but not available to them. In an outing from the Communications delegate for the Littoral region, the latter insisted on making it clear that both parties must avoid entering the stadiums with products competing with those of UCB. The franchise can’t wait for solutions to be found at all levels, so that the situation returns to normal so that the Cameroon Brewery Union holds its place as the official national sponsor of the CAN, but above all as a natural supporter.