By Eddah Waithaka
TECNO brought football fans and media together for exclusive AFCON quarter-final watch parties in Nairobi yesterday, transforming live screenings into a demonstration of how smartphones are evolving into intelligent football companions.
As Mali battled Senegal and Morocco faced Cameroon on screens in Morocco, guests experienced TECNO’s ELLA AI features, designed specifically to enhance how African fans engage with the tournament.
The events, held for sports journalists, lifestyle influencers, and dedicated fans, created a vibrant atmosphere celebrating African football culture.
They underscored AFCON’s evolution beyond a sporting contest into a continent-wide social moment.
“These watch parties are our way of celebrating AFCON with the fans and media who tell Africa’s football stories daily,” said Mildred Agoya, a TECNO brand representative.
“As the Official Global Partner of AFCON 2025 and 2027, we are proud to support the tournament not just on the pitch, but through experiences that bring fans closer to the game.”
The centerpiece of the experience was the live demonstration of TECNO’s proprietary ELLA AI assistant. The technology moved beyond passive viewing, actively analyzing and contextualizing the football spectacle for users.
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Key features on display included: Match Decoder: ELLA AI analyzed team formations and past performances to provide tactical insights, adding informed context to fan debates.
Snap-and-Know: By photographing a fixture poster or TV screen, users instantly accessed accurate match details, ensuring they never miss a kick-off.
Daily Highlights: The AI delivered concise summaries for fans catching up on matches during busy schedules.
StarCam: A playful feature allowed users to digitally place themselves alongside celebrities in virtual watch parties, built for social sharing.
“The experience felt inclusive and thoughtfully designed,” said Mac Otani, CEO of Swala Nyeti, who attended the event. “It was a great environment to enjoy football while exploring how technology is enhancing the fan experience.”
The watch parties form a key part of TECNO’s broader AFCON engagement strategy, which integrates technology into live and digital fan experiences throughout the tournament.
As AFCON progresses toward its finale, TECNO continues to position its devices as active tools for deepening engagement, simplifying access, and capturing the shared emotion of African football.
