South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, is at the center of a competitive sponsorship race, with global sportswear giants Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Kappa vying to become the next official kit supplier.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) is currently reviewing its options, as the contract with its current sponsor, Le Coq Sportif, approaches its expiration date.
SAFA’s deal with Le Coq Sportif is set to conclude on December 31, but reports suggest the partnership may be terminated earlier to pave the way for a new sponsor.
Although Le Coq Sportif has assured that its financial struggles in France will not impact its South African operations, SAFA appears eager to move on.
Discontent Over Current Kit Supplier
Le Coq Sportif took over from Nike in 2020 with a five-year contract, but the collaboration has been marred by concerns over product quality.
Players and officials have reportedly faced issues, including the need to rewash kits between matches due to a lack of sufficient gear. Despite promises of improvement after the pandemic, little progress has been made.
Banyana Banyana star Jermaine Seoposenwe has openly criticized the kit quality, further strengthening SAFA’s resolve to seek a new supplier.
With Le Coq Sportif already losing its deal with the French national rugby team to Adidas following a legal dispute, its grip on the South African market appears to be weakening.
New Sponsor Expected Soon
SAFA is confident in securing a replacement, given the strong presence of Nike, Adidas, Puma, and Kappa in South African football.
These brands already supply kits to domestic clubs and national teams, making them well-positioned to take over Bafana Bafana’s sponsorship.
With discussions ongoing, an official announcement on the new kit supplier is expected in the coming months.
