Puma will launch new Bafana Bafana jersey in UK
German equipment and apparel manufacturer Puma is planning to launch the new Bafana Bafana (a nickname for the South Africa national football team) jersey to an international audience at a ceremony in London, UK.
South African Football Association (SAFA) vice-president Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana said that Puma was planning to make a big splash of its acquisition of the Bafana jersey from fellow German brand adidas.
“Let me first confirm that the deal with Puma has been finalised and there are no longer any loose strings around that,” Mr Nonkonyana said. “But we cannot announce it here in South Africa until Puma has launched the jersey in London first. They want to go big with this and that is why it has taken so long.”
The SAFA executive committee is expected to decide on the fabric and design of the new jersey at the association’s meeting on March 25, 2011.
“Some Bafana players will also be consulted around this,” Mr Nonkonyana said. “Puma is now hard at work because we told them we do not want a natural team jersey that is sub- standard and looks like every other strip out there.”
SAFA’s contract with adidas expired on December 31, 2010, but Mr Nonkonyana admitted that they would continue using the old Bafana jerseys until Puma launches the new one.
“A deal has been reached between us and adidas and that means we will keep using their jersey. Puma have got no problem with that and they do not mind seeing Bafana playing in that jersey.”
