Nissan held a short ceremony at the Accra Mall Wednesday, November 19 to kick off its partnership with the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015.

The event which coincided with the Ghana-Togo match that sealed Ghana's qualification bid, according to Nissan, is aimed at bringing "innovation that excites to the continent’s biggest sporting tournament."

Through the qualifiers and right up to the finals starting in January in Guinea, Nissan will team up with some of Africa’s most popular players, and work to bring fans closer to the game.

The AFCON 2015 sponsorship is part of Nissan’s drive to increase its market presence in Africa, said Nthabiseng Motsepe, Acting Manager, Corporate Communications for Nissan South Africa Ltd.

The sponsorship deal makes Nissan the official global automotive supplier to the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015.

Japan Motors and Nissan Auto Parts, the two dealers of Nissan vehicles in Ghana, were present to give support to the launch of Nissan's AFCON partnership.

“Nothing unites and excites Africa quite like football,” Takashi Hata, Senior Vice President in charge of Nissan’s Africa, Middle East and India region said in a press release.

“Innovation that excites is what Nissan stands for. Sharing in the joy of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 with fans will help us to strengthen our brand in Africa, which we regard as a strategic and maturing market, and to increase the excitement about our innovative products", Takashi said.

As the official global automotive supplier to the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 Nissan will bring fans closer to the game with a thrilling line-up events during the tournament.

Nissan says Africa is a focal destination for investors, and for more than 50 years the company, one of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers, has developed a growing sales presence across the continent, and manufacturing plants in South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria.

"Nissan has already seen results from its increased focus on Africa. In fiscal year 2013, Nissan hit in Egypt 26,695 sales units, a 24.3% increase year-on-year. Market share was 12.3% up by 2.5 points thanks to strong sales of the Nissan Sunny. The company also made a new sales record in Angola. In Ghana, Nissan is the No. 1 automaker with 30.6% market share", the vehicle manufacturer revealed.

With public and dealership events as well as its formidable product line up, fans will see Nissan’s innovation first-hand.