The sportswear manufacturer will supply kits for all South Africa national teams through the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2018 tournament in Russia. Puma has replaced Adidas as the official technical partner of the SAFA after the latter’s deal expired at the end of last year.
The deal was announced on the same day as the new South Africa national team kit was launched in Johannesburg. South Africa has become the 12th national team in Africa to be supplied by Puma with Orange African Cup of Nations champion Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Togo, Burkina Faso, Malawi and Namibia also wearing the company’s kits.
“Puma has a longstanding commitment to Africa and African football, and this new relationship further underlines our continuing investment in the continent,” said Christian Voigt, senior head of global sports marketing at Puma. “In partnering with the South African Football Association, we are proud to have added another great asset to our sports marketing portfolio, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship.”
SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani added: “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.”
