Razzl Honours AFCON 2023 Pledges to Fans, Dealers and Media
In fulfillment of the promise it made to its distributors, Razzl, the exclusive Official Soft Drink of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Ultimum Limited, sponsored 15 of its dealers, three free stylers and a sports journalist to the ongoing tournament in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The delegation which departed the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos on the night of Friday, January 12, 2024 landed in Abidjan after the 80-minute flight in time to be amongst the fans that witnessed the fabulously, enchanting opening ceremony of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations inside the brand new Stade Olympic Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe area of the commercial capital city of the Ivorians.
After watching host country Côte d’Ivoire start their campaign in flying colours against Guinea Bissau in the opening match, the Razzl delegation teamed up with supporters of the Super Eagles from Nigeria and those resident in Abidjan to drum support for Nigeria against Equatorial Guinea the next day.
Cladded in Razzl branded t-shirts on jeans pants, the 13 men and two ladies enjoyed every moment of Eagles’ opening game with dancing and singing of popular Nigerian songs, accompanied with drumming and trumpeting.
Although most of them were not too happy with the 1-1 draw result against Equatorial Guinea, they however expressed the hope that Nigeria would make it out of the Group A that also had host Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau, into the knockout round.
Mr. Austin Ufomba, the Chief Executive Officer of Ultimum Limited, the company producing Razzl, who at half time joined the delegation for refreshments and photo shoots, later described Côte d’Ivoire’s opening ceremony of the tournament as world-class. The Ultimum CEO told the dealers that Razzl offered to be the Official Soft Drink partner of the AFCON 2023 because what the tournament represent resonates with that of the drink. “Razzl resonates with this point of celebrating, about inspiring one Africa, about inspiring one continent and football. This is all that Razzl is all about.”
Ufomba further stressed that “We as soft drink gives all that go with celebration. It is our role to be an African brand, the big African soft drink. This is why also we undertake the role of partnering this big African platform to be the best in the continent. We are just six months in the market wether in Cameroon, Nigeria or Côte d’Ivoire. We have conquered the key things whether it is Cola, Orange, Grenadine, Lemon or Pamplemousse, we have conquered the soda market.”
The delegation was not limited to stadium activities alone, they were taken on sight-seeing of Abidjan, its popular places like hotels, restaurants and beaches. Most of the dealers and fans on the trip could not resist taking pictures at the Chez Rodrique resort that takes 25 minutes boat cruise off the Abidjan Port. The food and drinks there were top notch.
Speaking about their experiences in Abidjan, one of the top Razzl dealers based in Seme, Badagry, Mr Omane Moses Ogunbameru described the trip as “unexpected vacation treat for me. When Ultimum Limited promised to take some of us to AFCON 2023, I thought it was mere promise that may not happen. I was shocked when I was told to join the delegation at Ibis Hotel on Airport Road for the trip the next day. I really want to commend Razzl for this promise kept. I have really enjoyed my stay in Abidjan,” observed the Razzl top dealer.
Similarly, Mrs Oluwatosin O. Ojuri was full of gratitude to Razzl for the experience at AFCON 2023. “This is really nice. Razzl has proved to be very reliable product. In barely six months operations in Nigeria, that Razzl has chosen to serenade us their dealers and others with sponsored trips to AFCON 2023 is really great. More grace to your firm,” stressed the owner of TeeOne Venture in Mushin, Lagos.
One of the dealers from Kaduna, Mal. Muhammadu Dan Almajiri, was also very happy with the trip to AFCON in Abidjan. “Razzl paid for my trip to and from Kaduna for the journey to Côte d’Ivoire. I am very happy with Razzl. I love football and would ordinarily not have time to come to Abidjan but Razzl made it possible.”
The dealers selected from across the country, reflected the wide distribution network of the soft drink company that made a triumphant entry into the Nigerian fizzle drinks market and has got a chunk share of it.