FIFA Street is the first street football videogame that authentically replicates the way the game is played around the world. It is described as “spectacular” by Official Xbox Magazine, earning an Editor’s Choice award and a review score of 9 out of 10. PlayStation: The Official Magazine calls the action, “chaotic, tense, and above all, super fun.”

From the creators of the award-winning EA SPORTS FIFA franchise, and powered by the revolutionary FIFA gameplay engine, FIFA Street delivers an arsenal of authentic street dribbling styles and trick moves that ignite the one-on-one battles. Utilize the groundbreaking new Street Ball Control to experience the highest fidelity of touch on the ball and responsiveness ever developed by the FIFA franchise. Compete everywhere from parking lots to prestigious 5v5 futsal-style tournaments on the streets of the world’s most renowned cities. Enjoy unique and entertaining game modes like Panna Rules and the new Last Man Standing, which were created exclusively by the FIFA Street team. Play with and against the stars of the most popular clubs in the world—or real-life street players—and compete at more than 35 locations in the world.

World Tour story mode, where gamers create a team of friends and compete in a connected world against other FIFA Street gamers’ teams, is described by Official Xbox Magazine as “setting the standard for all other sports games.” In the mode, players will be able to follow each other’s journey as they build their squads, unlock new tricks, and progress through the story of their pursuit of street football glory. Players will be able to share and compare progress with friends directly in the Street Network and it will also broadcast in-game videos like “Goals of the Week”, and alert friends to each other’s accomplishments throughout the game.

FIFA Street delivers a unique, fun experience where everything from the environments to the gear to the music is true to street football and its culture. Hand-selected to bring the beautiful game back to the streets, the FIFA Street in-game soundtrack features 24 songs gathered from around the globe, including artists like Foreign Beggars What’s Good Feat; Lazer Sword; Spank Rock Feat; Santigold Car Song; Kano All + All Together Feat; Hot Chip; The Big Pink Hit The Ground (Superman); Wretch 32 Unorthodox Feat; Example; Drop The Lime Let’s Go; and a brand new Moguai Remix to reinvent the classic Fat Boy Slim track “Ya Mama”.

For the latest news on FIFA Street join more than 8 million fans in the EA SPORTS FIFA community at http://www.facebook.com/easportsfifa or follow them on Twitter at www.twitter.com/easportsfifa.

Adidas, the official match ball supplier for AFCON and all FIFA sanctioned tournaments, today announced Katlego as the official match ball name for the 2013 AFCON tournament to be played in South Africa.

Katlego, which means ’success’ beat alternate names  khanya (which means light) and motswako (which means mixture/medley) as the official match ball name, was chosen by African football fans – via an three week online competition – across the continent as the chosen name for what will be adidas’ fourth consecutive sponsorship of the AFCON official match ball.

“adidas is proud to be at the helm of the production and the naming of yet one more South African-inspired official match ball following the resounding successes of both the Kopanya and Jabulani match balls, which were launched for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup respectively,” says Zobuzwe Ngobese, PR manager at adidas South Africa. “This will be adidas’ fourth official match ball for the AFCON since its partnership with the federation in 2008.”

The competition, which was hosted by the SuperSport and CAF websites during the course of 6 to 19 February 2012, gave African football fans the unique opportunity to cast their votes and to make history.

“We are confident the 2013 AFCON tournament will be a resounding success as the name of the official match ball suggests,” adds Ngobese.

The overall design and the technology utilised in the making of Katlego will be officially unveiled in October 2012.

Ismail Badmus of Nigeria, was also announced today as the voter who wins a double ticket and trip for two to the watch the final match of the 2013 AFCON tournament in South Africa.

Adidas are a partner of CAF and official ball supplier since 2008 and have produced 3 balls for the AFCON tournament since 2008:

Wawa aba – for the AFCON in Ghana – 2008

Jabulani – for the AFCON in Angola – 2010

Comoequa – the AFCON in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea – 2012

now we are asking the African football fans in SA and the rest of Africa to participate in a competition to choose the appropriate name for the AFCON ball in 2013 –which will be hosted by South Africa.

The names are: -Khanya (shine/light), Katlego (success) or Motswako (mixture)

To stand a chance of winning a double ticket to the final game of AFCON in 2013 –viewers will have to go to www.supersport.com and vote for one of the 3 names. The winner will be drawn on the 20^th of February 2012 as per competition rules and conditions.

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.

Jonathan King, Nazan Klaasens, Khayalethu Nzimande and Reyaad Pieterse, will join 96 other aspiring footballers from around the world in the hope of winning a contract at the prestigious Nike academy. The Nike academy is a high performance training programme supported by the English Premier League and Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger will also be present at the global finals in order to cast his watchful gaze at the young players who have excelled in their respective countries.

The quartet arrived at Naturena under the pretence of participating in fitness tests with the Kaizer Chiefs coaching staff but instead found themselves thrust into a full-blown training session with the entire Kaizer Chiefs squad who were preparing for a vital Premier Soccer League fixture against Bidvest Wits in Polokwane at the weekend. Head coach Vladimir Vermezovic welcomed the youngsters into the fold and immediately began putting the players through their paces.

After a stretching period King, Nzimande and Klassens joined the rest of the outfield players for a series of warm-up drills while goalkeeper Pieterse joined Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper coach Rainer Dinkelacker for the start of the goalkeeping session.

“The purpose behind inviting the youngsters to join Kaizer Chiefs for training was to acclimatize them to the rigours of professional football by exposing the young athletes to the highest level the game has to offer. The intensive training period was designed with the purpose of preparing the players technically, physically and mentally ahead of the trip to the United Kingdom in January,” said Seruscka Naidoo, Communication Manager, Nike South Africa.

Kaizer Chiefs coach Vermezovic had set up the tactical session with specific emphasis placed on counter-attacking football. This ensured that the players worked on fitness and endurance while also focusing on technical ability, execution and tactical nous.

Vermezovic and the professional players were also highly complimentary in their initial feedback to the youngsters, encouraging them to keep grounded, and to ensure that they continue combining their physical training and ability with sheer hard work.

All four of the aspiring players were visibly moved by their experience on the day, mingling with many of the players that they have only seen on television and in the media. The experience gained during their training session will certainly put them in good stead for their imminent trip to Europe.

Nike gives Cape Town’s football hopefuls another opportunity with ‘The Chance’

Nike returns to Cape Town in search of the best young footballers to represent South Africa at the Nike Academy trials in the United Kingdom

Nike’s youth football programme, The Chance, is a global search for talented footballers to get an opportunity to join the Nike Academy, a high performance training programme, supported by the English Premier League, in the United Kingdom.

Locally, Nike set out its search for South Africa’s top young guns in August, with trials already conducted in Johannesburg, and Cape Town.  However, the interest from youngsters in Cape Town has increased, and Nike will host a second round of trials for those players who did not get a chance to register in August.

Already more than 300 hopefuls aged 16 and 17 years joined The Chance South Africa trials with football legends-turned-pro-coaches Shaun Bartlett, Eric Tinkler and Tebogo Moloi heading up the scouting.

Nike will be rolling out their final leg of the trials in Durban at the end of September.  The player’s who make the grade and get noticed during the regional trials, will be called back for the final trial in Johannesburg.  Only four South African players have the chance to slot into the best 100 players from across 40 countries, to join Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at the UK trials in January 2011, to compete for one of eight international places in the Nike Academy.  These eight will have all their expenses paid to live in the UK for a year starting in July 2011 and be a full time member of the Nike Academy.

As members of the Nike Academy, players become full-time participants at a residential training centre in England with access to elite coaches, nutritionists, psychologists and fitness conditioners, along with world class facilities to perform at the highest level.

Date:  Sunday, 12 September 2010
Time: 8am until 4pm
Venue: Old Mutual Academy, Mutual Park, Jan Smuts Drive, Pinelands

Bongani Mthembu’s strength, tackling ability and willingness to run down the line makes him a tough defensive opponent and an attacking threat from the back.

To find out more about The Chance check out the feature TRW did here: or visit: http://go.nike.com/TheNoticed