NIKE’S NEW GENERATION OF AFRICAN FOOTBALLERS TO INSPIRE A CONTINENT
Nike have unveiled a new short film featuring four of the African continents brightest talents, who represent the future, and who are a new generation of African footballers who aim to lead the African football revolution.
The African Cup of Nations kicked off in earnest this past weekend as sixteen countries began the quest for glory, to be crowned the Champions of Africa. Ivory Coast and Arsenal’s mercurial winger Gervinho, Queens Park Rangers and Moroccan dribbling sensation Adel Taarabt, Ghanaian powerhouse midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah who plies his trade in Italy with Udinese and Marseille’s Andre Ayew, also of Ghana, are aiming to make history.
These four footballers are all household names. They are no strangers to football fans from around the world. We watch them produce the goods week in, week out at the highest level of European football. They dominate the headlines in England’s Premier League, Italy’s Serie A and France’s Ligue 1 but it’s about more than that. For too long African football has remained in the shadows. It’s time that the continent becomes the force that it is capable of becoming. It’s about Africa.
Africa has produced wonderfully talented footballers who have forged amazing careers in the game, and now it’s time for the new generation of footballers to claim victory.
Nike will stand behind their players Gervinho, Taraabt, Asamoah and Ayew as they represent a new African footballer, an African footballer that is tired of celebrating mediocrity and done with being average. With a new focus, drive and determination these players are ready to inspire a continent and ready to claim glory for their country, a relentless pursuit of victory.
Africa can dream… It’s the end of hope, the beginning of belief and the new generation are determined to deliver.
PUMA.COM OFFERS UNIQUE INSIGHT INTO AFRICAN FOOTBALL
PUMA today launched an African Football content programme ahead of the Orange African Cup of Nations® tournament that kicks off this weekend in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The programme will give a unique cultural insight into the world of African football through the eyes of high profile PUMA partnered players.
Interviews with PUMA players participating in the tournament will run each day on www.puma.com/football, including Asamoah Gyan of Ghana, Yaya Touré of Ivory Coast, Kadar Mangane of Senegal, Didier Ovono of Gabon and Jonathan Pitroipa of Burkina Faso. These interviews will give viewers an insight into African football through the experiences of the players, both past and present.
Through a series of interlinking themes, the content will give viewers a unique perspective into what African Football is really about, what is so special about the African Cup of Nations, how it feels for a star African player to return to their home continent and the atmosphere and experience you can expect in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea this year.
Follow the African Football story of Gyan, Touré, Gabon, Mangane and Pitriopa and experience the tournament as it progresses on www.puma.com/football. The new programme kicks off with Manchester City star Yaya Toure of Cote D’Ivoire. Check out ‘The African Football Interview, Part 1/5: Growing Up.’
PUMA UNVEIL NEW KITS AHEAD OF AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS
PUMA today unveiled the new national team football kits for South Africa, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, Namibia, Senegal, Togo, Gabon and Burkina Faso at the opening of a month-long exhibition, Interpretations of Africa: Football, Art and Design, at the Design Museum in London.
Puma Ghana Home kit
Star footballers including Steven Pienaar of South Africa, Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon, John Mensah of Ghana and Yaya Touré of Ivory Coast attended the launch of the exhibition, where the new kits are exhibited.
Puma Ivory Coast Home kit
The new kits are designed to maximise player’s performance. The jersey fits the body closely to avoid grabbing from the opponent and to enable players to exhibit their physical presence on the pitch. The fabric features PUMA’s U.S.P Moisture Management technology, which enhances airflow and body performance by dragging moisture away from the body and
Puma Cameroon Home kit
The shirts also feature the new PUMA QR Code woven label, which directs to an online video featuring information about the making of the kits, with interviews from artists and players.
Puma Togo Home kit
The Interpretations of Africa: Football, Art and Design exhibition charts the artists’ inspiration and design process, demonstrating how Africa’s culture and history can be captured in both an artwork and a corresponding sportswear design. Visit http://creative.puma.com for further information about the artists and their renderings.
Puma Senegal Home kit
With the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations fast approaching, the exhibition is the perfect platform for PUMA to demonstrate how the brand has fused its work within sport and art.
Puma Gabon Home kit
“PUMA has been at the forefront of integrating the two disparate worlds of sport and art, and today through a celebration of football, art, colour and culture, we have shown to the world how these two spheres can be uniquely combined,” said Franz Koch, CEO of PUMA SE.
Puma Algeria Home kit
PUMA has a celebrated history with African football and highlights include the African Unity Kit for the FIFA World Cup 2010 and the Cameroon Unikit in 2004. Art has also featured prominently: to celebrate the FIFA World Cup 2010, PUMA commissioned artist Kehinde Wiley to paint portraits of African footballers and to design African-inspired lifestyle products.
Puma Burkina Faso Home kit
Terence Parris, head of Teamsports Marketing at PUMA SE said: “African football plays a huge part in our global sports marketing strategy. Over the past decade, we have progressively developed our relationship with Africa, investing in grassroots projects, player relationships and federation partnerships. The passion of African football complements our brand ethos and we are uniquely privileged to be in a position to work with a continent with such rich culture and heritage. These football kits embody all of our brand values.”
Puma Namibia Home kit
The Interpretations of Africa: Football, Art and Design exhibition is open for public viewing from November 8 – 27, 2011, 10.00am – 17.45pm. Visit www.pumafootball.com, http://vision.puma.com, www.designmuseum.org for further information.
Along with the new kits Puma also gave us a glimpse at a new upcoming V1.11 colourway – Yellow/Purple which were spotted on the feet of Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure who recently signed with Puma.
MORE OF PUMA’S CAN 2010 KITS
Here are the rest of the kits Puma have designed for the African Cup of Nations next year.
I think they all look brilliant! Great tribute to Africa!
Cameroon and Ivory Coast – Away, Egypt (A/H), Ghana (A), Morocco (A/H), Mozambique (A/H), Namibia (A/H), Senegal (A/H), Togo (A/H), Tunisia (A/H)
PUMA LEADS THE WAY IN AFRICAN FOOTBALL
PUMA is the leading sportslifestyle brand and a powerhouse in African football.
They have now released home and away kits for 11 of the countries participating in the African Cup of Nations in January 2010.
“In 2010, Africa will be the center of attention with the Orange African Cup of Nations Angola 2010™ in January leading up to the World Cup in South Africa. With a powerful portfolio of eleven PUMA-sponsored African national teams (Ghana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Egypt, Tunisia, Namibia, Morocco, Angola, Senegal and Togo), PUMA is already the most visible football brand in the Continent. We have enjoyed more than a decade of close partnership and collaboration with African football federations. Africa has a great deal to offer the international football community; next year’s major tournaments will provide the perfect stage and PUMA is very proud to be a part of them.”
Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO, PUMA AG
PUMA have always been innovative football kit suppliers. Now they are delivering home and away kits for its 11 African teams, which again push the boundaries of technology and design. The jerseys are contoured to deliver a snug body fit that accentuates the players’ musculature. Constructed from moisture-wicking Power Mesh, the jerseys feature a proprietary engineered mesh panel across the back, which allows for maximum movement and breathability. A Kinte pattern, inspired by traditional African fabrics, was applied to this back panel. Additionally, a unique brush-stroke effect, mimicking fans’ body paint, creates the decorative stripes on most of the away jerseys and the players’ names and numbers on the back.
PUMA’s African roster swells to 12 top-ranked African teams with the signing of the Algeria FA who will be part of the PUMA football portfolio from January 1st 2010.
“The association with Algeria underpins PUMA’s commitment to African Football,” “Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes) have an impressive history on the pitch and are again poised to be a top contender at CAN 2010. We’re thrilled to welcome them to the PUMA family.”
Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO, PUMA AG
Ivory Coast, Ghana and Angola (home and away) kits.
Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o wearing their new kit and Puma V1.10 boots.
For more information visit: www.pumafootballpresskit.com.