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Puma adds to African stable
Sportswear brand to supply South African Football Association; South Africa becomes 12th international team outfitted by Puma
Puma and the South African Football Association (SAFA) have signed a multi-year partnership that sees the sportswear brand become technical supplier to SAFA.
The deal is effective immediately and lasts beyond the next two World Cups, in Brazil in 2014 and Russia in 2018. Puma will provide the official playing kits for all associated South African teams, including the national ‘A’, youth and women’s teams.
Puma is also SAFA’s official partner in relation to replica kits, fan wear and other merchandise. The South African national 'A' team will first wear the new Puma kit during their next fixture scheduled for August 10 against an as yet unnamed opponent.
The deal with SAFA means Puma now supplies 12 national teams on the African continent: Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Togo, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Namibia and South Africa.
Christian Voigt, senior head of global sports marketing at Puma, said: “Puma has a longstanding commitment to Africa and African football, and this new relationship further underlines our continuing investment in the continent.
“In partnering with the SAFA, we are proud to have added another great asset to our sports marketing portfolio, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship.”
The new Puma South Africa kit was unveiled in Johannesburg by South African captain Stephen Pienaar along with Siphiwe Tshabalala, Renielwe Letsholonyane, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Darren Keet and Katlego Mphela.
All proceeds from replica home shirts sales will be donated to the SOS Children Villages charity in South Africa, a cause designated by SAFA. Puma already works on a number grassroots and charitable initiatives across the African continent.
Kirsten Nematandani, SAFA president, said: “Puma’s presence in African football really speaks for itself, and they were the most desirable company for us to align ourselves with.
“Their technical innovation and excellence is of course important, but more so is the heritage and support they have demonstrated for this continent over a number of years. They are the perfect partner as we strive to grow the profile of football in South Africa in the years to come.”
