Nike, Safa sign a five-year deal

Nike has partnered with the South African Football Association (Safa) with the aim of seeing the sports company designing and developing football kits for the South African football teams.

Both parties signed a five-year deal which started on Saturday and saw national teams receiving Nike’s advanced team kits and training equipment including match balls.

Nike is going to provide a kit for Bafana Bafana ahead of their international friendly against Brazil scheduled for March 5. The partnership includes supplying training kits and match balls to all nine of Safa’s national teams at every level including the men’s U23, men’s and women’s U20, men’s and women’s U17, men’s indoor football and men’s beach football.

Nike Africa’s general manager, Laurent Payre, said this partnership signifies Nike’s deep commitment to support and advance South African football at all levels of the game, from the national team to grassroots football.

He said they are looking forward to providing innovative product technology to help players reach their full potential and to helping shape the future success of SA football.

The partnership provides Safa with access to the Nike Football Training Centre in Klipspruit which was built by Nike in 2010.

This access will enable Safa to identify and nature talent through events such as Nike’s football training programs, Nike Chance, Manchester United Premier Cup and the elite training conducted at the centre.

Safa president, Danny Jordaan said they are excited to partner with Nike and look forward to this comprehensive partnership enabling them to focus on the progression of football.

He said this is a significant time for SA football as they embark on strengthening structures especially the developmental part.