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African Cup of Nations

The Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as the African Cup of Nations or African Nations Cup, officially CAN (French for Coupe d'Afrique des Nations), is the main international association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been held every two years. The title holders at the time of a FIFA Confederations Cup qualify for that competition.

In 1957 there were only three participating nations: Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. South Africa were originally scheduled to compete, but were disqualified due to the apartheid policies of the government then in power. Since then, the tournament has grown greatly, making it necessary to hold a qualifying tournament. The number of participants in the final tournament reached 16 in 1998 (16 teams were to compete in 1996 but Nigeria withdrew, reducing the field to 15), and since then, the format has been unchanged, with the sixteen teams being drawn into four groups of four teams each, with the top two teams of each group advancing to a "knock-out" stage.

Egypt is the most successful nation in the cup's history, winning the tournament a record seven times (including when Egypt was known as the United Arab Republic between 1958 and 1971). Ghana and Cameroon have won four titles each. Three different trophies have been awarded during the tournament's history, with Ghana and Cameroon winning the first two versions to keep after each of them won a tournament three times. The current trophy was first awarded in 2002 and with Egypt winning it indefinitely after winning their unprecedented third consecutive title in 2010.

As of 2013, the tournament will switch to being held in odd-numbered years so that it does not clash with the FIFA World Cup.

History of Electroland Ghana (distributor of Samsung for Ghana)

In middle part of 2009, a young Lebanese - Nour Seklaoui, 28, assumed ownership of Electroland Ghana Limited to promote and distribute Samsung products in Ghana.

Operating just four branches in Accra (the head office included), the young man did not allow the challenges confronting him on the market, which is the importation of fake Samsung products to Ghana, to deter him from realizing his goals.

Rather, he combined all the skills he had learnt as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) student and his six years of experience as a businessman to surmount the challenges. He eventually succeeded in entrenching his company’s position on the market as a preferred partner of Samsung in Ghana.

“Since then, Electroland Ghana has been able to register a 380 percent growth,” Mr Seklaoui told CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE in an interview Friday. Located opposite Busy Internet at the Ring Road Central, Accra, Electroland Ghana – the accredited agent of Samsung International in Ghana, deals in Samsung’s television sets, LEDs, LCDs, plasmas, home theatres, air-conditioners, refrigerators, microwaves and washing machines, among others.

By the end of this year, Mr Seklaouio has assured customers that Electroland would open two more branches at Madina and Tema. In 2011, it intends increasing its branch network to 10 by opening four outlets in Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale. Electroland has already won two awards from Samsung this year for best performance and highest growth.

“With the Samsung brand, our target is the whole of Ghana for all classes of society. We have our premium products and the middle ones all priced affordably despite their good quality,” he mentioned. “We also offer a year’s warranty and after-sales service for all our products.”

According to him, Electroland Ghana’s intends to develop local human resources as it continues to enhance its distribution channels. Electroland expects to increase its dealers across the country to 100 in terms of retail. Also billed to take place this year are more product promotions and offers.

“All these are geared towards reducing fake and unauthorized Samsung products on the market from its present 25 percent to 5 percent by the middle of next year.” Electroland Ghana has also pledged to employ more people as it embarks on an expansion drive.

“There is no way anyone is going to beat us to the number one position as electronic company in Ghana. And this is greatly supported by our best quality brands, best service and also our best terms,” Mr Seklaoui indicated.

Source: Daily Guide