Bafana find new kit sponsor as Le Coq Sportif deal nears conclusion

Bafana Bafana are set to wear a new brand from next year and it has been revealed which kit maker is replacing French firm Le Coq Sportif.

Le Coq Sportif will see their contract with SAFA end on December 31 and South Africa’s football governing body has already secured a new brand which will be Bafana Bafana’s kit sponsor from next year.

As per SABC, giant German apparel brand Adidas are set to make a return to South African football after beating competition from rivals Nike, Puma, Kappa and Macron to be the kit sponsor.

The report quotes SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao who has revealed that the deal has been sealed between the two parties but that the name of the new kit sponsor will be presented to the body’s National Executive Committee for approval.

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Sipho Mbule Thalente Mbatha and Lyle Foster Bafana Bafana — Image – SAFA

“This is a process we started over a year ago, when we knew that the Le Coq Sportif sponsorship was going to come to an end. It's just a matter of announcing now, as we are waiting for the National Executive Committee to endorse our new sponsors,” Monyepao was quoted saying.

Adidas were Bafana Bafana’s kit sponsors from 1998-2011 and will now make a return in what could be a defining period for the country.

South Africa are set to feature at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco between December 2025 and January 2026 and are in a good chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup as they lead their qualifying group.

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Bafana Bafana 1 — Bafana Bafana team picture

Hugo Broos’ side have been on the up over the last one year, staying unbeaten in 16 games, and recently saw an improvement in their FIFA ranking to position 55 in the world and ninth in Africa, in the latest update made on Thursday.

SAFA signed a six-year deal with Le Coq Sportif during the COVID-19 period in 2020 with the contract set to run out after the 2026 World Cup.

The firm, however, ran into financial problems and was placed under receivership by the French government in January this year, casting doubt over a contract extension with SAFA.