Despite not being at Afcon, Bafana Bafana fans have reason to get excited this month.  PUMA, the official sponsor of Bafana Bafana, will stock selected stores with the national teams new fan wear merchandise on 15 February. Fans can buy the South Africa Away Shirt for R599 and the South Africa Anthem Jacket for R999, and can also purchase a range of other fan wear from selected retailers.

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 keeps the body at the ultimate performance temperature.

PUMA today unveiled the new South African national team football kit at the opening of a month-long exhibition, Interpretations of Africa: Football, Art and Design, at the Design Museum in London.

Star footballers including Bafana Bafana captain Steven Pienaar, Samuel Eto’o of Cameroon, John Mensah of Ghana and Yaya Touré of Ivory Coast attended the launch of the exhibition, where the Bafana Bafana kit is exhibited alongside new kits for PUMA’s other African teams – Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, Namibia, Senegal, Togo, Gabon and Burkina Faso.

South African artists Hasan and Husain Essop designed the new Bafana Bafana kit. The brothers are among a group of artists from the Creative African Network www.CreativeAfricanNetwork.com commissioned to design kits inspired by their country’s heritage, culture and traditions.

The kit, which Bafana Bafana will sport when they play against the Ivory Coast in the Nelson Mandela Challenge on Saturday 12 November, includes a rainbow graphic inspired by the phrase “Rainbow Nation” coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

“Our design was influenced by South Africa’s diversity of cultures and how we have grown as a Nation. We worked with the PUMA design team to help us create a symbol that would reflect South African spirit. After hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, South Africans have united across the country to support their team. The kit represents the unity within our country and at the same time reflects our strong African identity,” said the Essop brothers.

Safa President Kirsten Nematandani agreed: “When Archbishop Desmond Tutu coined the phrase the Rainbow Nation he captured the unique character of our country, and how our different peoples would work together to make our country great. It is appropriate that the new rainbow kit design has been launched in the year of the Archbishop’s 80^th birthday. We believe we have a kit and a team which can unite our fans behind the Bafana Bafana cause.”

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 keeps the body at the ultimate performance temperature.

South African national team coach Pitso Mosimane is excited about the new Bafana Bafana look: “The new team kit from PUMA is technically advanced, looks great and tells the unique and wonderful story of our country. The players will wear it with pride.”

It also didnt go unnoticed that Steven Pienaar is wearing the upcoming Yellow/Purple V1.11 colourway we expect Puma to officially release soon. The new colourway certainly complements the new kit perfectly!

The sportlifestyle brand also confirmed that replica home shirts have been produced in very limited numbers (2000 units) intended as a collector’s item in celebration of the new partnership, rather than for the mass market, and have been priced accordingly at R899.00. The replica home shirt will be available to buy in South Africa at the beginning of July and in line with PUMA Vision’s commitment to Africa, all proceeds from sales of the interim home shirt will be donated to SOS Children Villages in South Africa, a cause designated by the South African Football Association.

Ronald Rink, General Manager of PUMA South Africa, said: “PUMA has worked hard over the past few months to create a playing kit that could be provided for South African teams at the earliest possible time, something on which the South African Football Association placed great emphasis on. It was important to ensure this playing kit incorporated the latest innovations and performance qualities that we deliver for all our national federations worldwide, and we’re pleased we’ve been able to deliver it within such a short timeframe.”

PUMA also confirmed it has included South Africa in an exciting African-wide kit concept the sportlifestyle brand has developed for the 2012 African Cup of Nations. A completely new creative kit design will be unveiled in advance of the tournament and a full range of replica wear and accessories will be available to South African football fans following the launch. The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations replica products will have a normal lifespan, and tiered-pricing to cater for all levels of the market.

PUMA announced on Tuesday 7 June that it had entered into a new partnership with the South African Football Association to become the official technical supplier to the SAFA, effective immediately and lasting beyond the next two FIFA World Cups.

South Africa will become the thirteenth African international team currently outfitted by PUMA. The German company is also supplying the Orange African Cup of Nations champions Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Togo, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Malawi and Namibia.

Bafana stars Katlego Mphela, Renielwe Letsholonyane, Steven Pienaar, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Kagisho Dikgacoi unveil the new Puma home and away strip for Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg.

The new PUMA South Africa kit was also launched in Johannesburg today, by South African captain Stephen Pienaar along with Bongani Khumalo, Itumeleng Khune and Katlego Mphela. The South African national team will debut the new PUMA kit during their next fixture scheduled for the 10th August (opponents to be confirmed).

Featuring the very latest innovations of PUMA technology, the kit incorporates performance enhancing fabric through moisture wicking properties, mesh inserts on the side for improved ventilation and embossed fabric to enhance the aesthetic appearance.  The shirt will also feature both the Protea and SAFA badges.  In line with PUMA’s CSR commitment to Africa, all proceeds from replica home shirt sales will be donated to SOS and the Children’s Fund.  In line with PUMA’s CSR commitment to Africa, all proceeds from replica home shirt sales of the launch kit, will be donated to the SOS Children Villages in South Africa, a cause designated by the South African Football Association.

Limited Edition Home Jersey

South Africa become the twelfth African international team to be outfitted by PUMA, following in the footsteps of African Cup of Nations champions Egypt, as well as Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Togo, Burkina Faso, Malawi and Namibia.

Christian Voigt, Senior Head of Global Sports Marketing at PUMA said “We are delighted to enter into this new partnership with the South African Football Association.  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 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.”

Limited Edition Away Jersey

Kirsten Nematandani, President of the South African Football Association said, “To announce this new commercial relationship with PUMA is a great privilege for us, and we are very happy to have secured this deal.  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.”

As part of the brand’s commitment to Africa, PUMA continues to support a number of grass roots and charitable initiatives across the continent.  In 2010, the sportlifestyle brand launched the Africa Unity kit – the official FIFA sanctioned third kit of all PUMA sponsored African national football teams, with proceeds from global sales supporting biodiversity causes in Africa.  Later the same year, 10,000 durable footballs were delivered to various football projects across a number of West African countries. PUMA was also the official sponsor and fanwear supplier of the 2010 Orange African Cup of Nations in Angola.  In 2009, PUMA incorporated the use of sustainable cotton sources from Africa into its product ranges, supporting the Aid by Trade Foundation’s ‘Cotton Made in Africa’ initiative, developed to improve the living conditions of African cotton farmers and promote environmentally responsible farming practices.

Unite Mzansi Unite

adidas, official sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, have unveiled the giant Bafana Bafana jersey which bears signatures and messages of support from hundreds of thousands Bafana Bafana fans. The giant jersey –which is 60 metres by 48 metres big was unveiled at the Cape Town Stadium to mark the last Football Friday -a concept that saw South Africans wearing the colours of their national team every Friday in the days leading to the 2010 FIFA World Cup ™.

The giant jersey was the central tool in adidas’ Unite Mzansi Unite campaign whose aim was to unite South Africans behind the World Cup and the National team – Bafana Bafana. The massive yellow jersey toured the rest of South Africa over seven months:

• covering a distance of 27, 000 kilometres,
• visiting more than 300 towns & villages and
• passing through all 9 provinces South Africa and
• all the host cities receiving an overwhelming welcome along the way.

“We decided to unveil the giant jersey in one of the World Cup venues in order to mark the last Football Friday and to say thank you to all South Africans for uniting behind the World Cup and Bafana Bafana. We have certainly showed the World how united we are in our purpose to deliver a spectacular event and the final on Sunday will be a real cherry on top,” says Zobuzwe Ngobese, the Public Relations Manager at adidas South Africa.

The UMU campaign has not only touched South Africans as it had a very big global arm to it. Football fans from around the world were introduced to the yellow headband –known as the UMU a month before the tournament. This item has been sold globally at retail stores and all proceeds from the sales will go towards the 46664 –a Nelson Mandela charity organisation. Fans from South Africa and rest of the world have been wearing these yellow headbands at World Cup matches –something which created a sea of yellow at the stadiums –particularly when South Africa was playing. Some players also wore the UMUs on the field of play to show their support for charity.

“We are pleased that during all the three Bafana Bafana matches –the stadium was painted in yellow and more pleasing is the fact that the enthusiasm of South Africans continues all the way irrespective of whether our team is still there or not. That is what our campaign was all about –to unite South Africans behind the event,” adds Ngobese.

Some prominent people who have been part of the campaign include President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Danny Jordaan and Lucas Radebe. Musicians, actors and South African sports personalities also embraced the campaign.

Ordinary South Africans on the streets were equally touched by the campaign when the giant jersey reached their towns and villages while other locals offered to support UMU by showcasing their talents through song, dance and performances during truck stops in their areas.

With the jersey revealed, adidas has plans to leave a legacy long after the World Cup has gone. Certain high profile people and personalities who signed the jersey will have their signatures cut from the replica jersey, framed and auctioned on eBay. Proceeds from the auction will go to the Nelson Mandela 46664 charity organizations.

“As the world’s leading football brand, it was very important for us to leave a legacy after the campaign had finished. We have decided to select 11 signatures from prominent South Africans who signed the jersey and we will have pieces of their signatures framed for people to purchase on ebay -in order to raise funds and awareness for the great work the Nelson Mandela charity is doing,” adds Ngobese.

All South Africans that signed on the jersey will be able to say they were part of this historic event which was held on the African continent for the first time. It is expected that the spirit of unity will linger on after the World Cup and this is good news for the South African national team –which now enjoys unprecedented support following their brave at the tournament.

Supercharged boots feature national flag and individual personalization for South African footballers

The recent launch of the latest innovative football boots from Nike is still receiving rave reviews, more so from the footballers who will be donning the Nike Elite Series football boots at the football tournament next month.

While it’s all about the innovation and colourway of the boots that players are commenting most about, 19 Nike-sponsored players from the national team received their special edition Nike Elite Series footwear packs featuring personalization of their boots, during a handover on Friday, May 21.

The supercharged Nike Elite Series football boots were individually personalized with the South African flag, and personal lettering and / or numbering.

Following a presentation by Nike’s footwear specialist on the dynamics of the innovation, the players then received their boots with much excitement.

“The addition of the flag on my boots is inspiring and I will wear my Nike Elite Series with pride,” said Moeneeb Josephs, who simply has his name and the number ‘16’ embroidery on the boots.  “It was also great to hear about the latest innovations in the boots, and specifically how we as players can use this to perform better.”

Teko Modise, who makes his 50^th appearance for the national squad against Bulgaria on Monday, could not contain his excitement either.

“I have my daughter’s name, Pabi, on my boots and I look forward to running out onto the pitch with my new Mercurial SuperFly’s for my 50^th game,” said Modise.

The full list of players who received their Nike Elite Series boots include:
Aaron Mokoena
Andile Jali
Anele Ngcongca
Benni McCarthy
Bernard Parker
Bongani Khumalo
Itumeleng Khune
Kagisho Dikgacoi
Katlego Mphela
Lance Davids
Moeneeb Josephs
Reneilwe Letsholonyane
Shu-Aib Walters
Siboniso Gaxa
Siphiwe Tshabalala
Siyabonga Nomvete
Siyabonga Sangweni
Teko Modise
Thanduyise Khuboni

Nike’s Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II, CTR360 Maestri, Total90 Laser III and Tiempo Legend III all feature new performance upper to improve on-field visibility and reengineered outsole to deliver lightweight performance for every style of player.

Nike designers have reduced the weight of each boot so players can perform at their best.  Lightweight construction, intricate engineering, carbon-enforced strength and high contrast colours distinguish the boots.

The Elite Series is available to players at all levels and also incorporates Nike Football+ which features exclusive insider access to the world’s best coaches, players and teams for total game improvement.  Nike Football+ Master Series builds expertise in Control, Accuracy and Speed through elite insights and pro training.  This includes a special Elite Series signature move from Atletico Madrid and Argentina star Sergio Aguero that will launch at the end of May.

All four Elite Series boots, the Nike Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II, Nike CTR360 Maestri, Nike Total90 Laser III and Nike Tiempo Legend III are available at retail.

This year, the global spotlight will be on Africa. When it comes to African football, this is a stark contrast from the past and proof of a shifting landscape. The past few years have seen the rise of the ‘African’ star. Premier League clubs now rely heavily on their African players. Think about Chelsea without Essien or Drogba. Manchester City without Adebaor, Everton without Yakubu, Arsenal without Song… The list goes on.

There is a saying that ‘Europe plays football, Africa plays soccer’. The reason for this is a simple matter of style. Europe is all about technique, tactics and discipline. Africa has technique and tactics but more than anything, their greatest asset is passion. It has been one of the biggest frustrations for Bafana Bafana’s (the South African national soccer team) fans. When it comes to a ‘big’ game Bafana can kick ball with the best but stick them in a friendly and they will disappoint you. That’s where the exposure to European football clubs has helped South African players and African players in general. Some of South Africa’s best players have plied their trade in the English Premier League. Quinton Fortune donned the Red of Manchester United while the iconic Bafana captain, Lucas Radebe is a legend amongst Leeds fans. Now the likes of Steven Pienaar and Aaron Mokoena fly the South African flag in one of the world’s greatest Leagues. Benni McCarthy is a UEFA Champions League winner with Porto. He put two past Manchester United on his way to securing a winner medal with Jose Mourinho.

Now Europe comes to Africa and it is a chance for Africa’s greatest talent to shine on home soil. We take a look at some of the bright stars of South African football and zoom in even closer at the playing conditions and boots we can expect to see come June 2010.

So who are the next batch of players to make a noise in Europe? With the World Cup in their backyard, South African’s have a great opportunity to show their worth to the elite. Here are some of the players we think can make a big impact for Bafana and perhaps for a Premier League club come next season.

Itumeleng Khune: The young (just 22 years old) Kaizer Chiefs stopper has become a firm favourite to wear the Bafana number 1 in the World Cup. A brilliant shot stopper, he has been referred to as ‘the biggest goalkeeping talent South African football has produced in recent times’.

Siphiwe Tshabalala: Another Kaizer Chiefs player, Tshabalala is the face of Nike CTR360s in South Africa. A skillful winger and play-maker, Tshabalala is strong, fast and tricky. He resembles James Milner rather than his fellow South African winger Steven Pienaar.

Teko Modise: There was a lot of speculation about Modise and the interest that some clubs showed in the Orlando Pirates winger last summer. Manchester City, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Birmingham City were all rumored to have shown interest in him and a good display at the World Cup could see him receiving some concrete offers.

Siboniso Gaxa: Was one of Bafana’s stand-out players in the Confederations Cup. The Mamelodi Sundowns right back might not be the biggest player (just 5ft 10inch) but his skill and pace make him a threat down any teams flank. A refining of his talent in Europe could produce a real gem.

Katlego Mphela: Mphela made a name for himself after a majestic 30 yard strike against Spain in the Confederations Cup. The Mamelodi Sundowns striker has struggled to maintain his form for the national side but has been prolific in the Premier Soccer League – netting 17 goals and finishing with the Golden Boot.

The boot landscape in South Africa is similar to that of Europe. Nike seems to be the firm favourite amongst South African players with all of the above wearing Nike Vapours (except Tshabalala who wears Superflys). Nine out of the eleven starters against Jamaica in Bafana’s last friendly wore Nike boots.

Under Armour also have an amazingly large market share in the PSL. They sponsor triple champions SuperSport United (who have a partnership with Tottenham Hotspur). Adidas are the official kit suppliers for the federation and boast contracts with players such as Steven Pienaar and Matthew Booth. Puma are possibly the most recognizable brand throughout Africa and their work with nations North of South Africa has been amazing. They are currently behind Nike and Adidas within South Africa but don’t expect this situation to remain for long. Umbro have recently seen their stocks rise throughout the world and it is no different in SA. They also have some ground to make up however.

Most of South Africa experiences its rainy season in the summer, so winter (June/July) is a dry, cold month. The need for long studs is therefore not as important as it is in England. In South Africa, hard ground studs are often used as the playing surfaces are not always as good as the pitches in Europe. You can be sure that the standard has been raised for the upcoming World Cup however.

Bafana Bafana players will use the warm up session for the game against Thailand this Sunday as a platform to acknowledge the support that has been shown to them by South African fans that have signed on the adidas Giant Bafana Bafana jersey.

The jersey signing campaign, which is called Unite Mzansi Unite (UMU), all soccer fans that sign the jersey being given the yellow bandana-like items called the UMUs.

“Since November 2009, we have taken the giant Bafana Bafana jersey to all provinces of South Africa in order to rally South Africans behind the World Cup and our team Bafana Bafana. The response that we have got from the fans has been phenomenal and the players would like to wear the yellow adidas item – which has been given to all signatories of the Giant jersey – as an acknowledgement of that support,” says Zobuzwe Ngobese, Public Relations Manager at adidas South Africa.

All Bafana Bafana fans are urged to wear their yellow items as well as their jerseys at all Bafana Bafana games. “From now on we would like to see a sea of yellow whenever Bafana Bafana is playing,” he says.

The Giant jersey is 60 X 48 metres and adidas is expected to show the signed jersey before the kick-off of the World Cup. The leading football brand is also expected to make an important announcement about the significance of these yellow items next week.

Bafana Bafana head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira named a 29-man provisional squad for the World Cup on Friday.

Squad:

Goalkeepers:
Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs),
Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates),
Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United),
Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld, Germany).

Defenders:
Matthew Booth,
Siboniso Gaxa,
Innocent Mdledle (all Mamelodi Sundowns),
Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United),
Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel),
Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England),
Bryce Moon (PAOK, Greece),
Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium),
Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows),
Lucas Thwala (Pirates).

Midfielders:
Surprise Moriri,
Franklin Cale (both Sundowns),
Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town),
Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England),
Andile Jali,
Teko Modise (both Pirates),
Reneilwe Letsholonyane,
Siphiwe Tshabalala (both Kaizer Chiefs),
Thanduyise Khuboni (Arrows),
Steven Pienaar (Everton, England),
Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia).

Strikers:
Benni MaCarthy (West Ham United, England),
Katlego Mphela (Sundowns),
Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows),
Bernard Parker (FC Twente, Holland).

“The team will be staying at the Ramada Hotel, which is a stone’s throw from the state-of-the-art adidas training ground – the Adi Dassler Sports Platz. We have prepared a media week from the 19^th to the 23^rd of April 2010, where we will take journalists from around the world on a tour of the our facilities including the Walk of Fame, the Brand Centre and the world famous Scheinfeld factory,” says Zobuzwe Ngobese, the public relations manager at adidas South Africa.

The Bafana Bafana team are expected to travel in luxury Mercedes Buses, which are branded with SAFA, Adidas and the Jabulani ball – something that will make the South Africans easily recognizable in Germany.

The global sports manufacturing company is also expected to launch the ball that will be specifically used during the final of the World Cup next week. Danny Jordaan, Franz Backenbauer, Carlos Alberto Parreira and the Bafana Bafana squad are expected to attend this special Adidas event.