Kappa South Africa's CEO Ricky Joseph has termed Kaizer Chiefs the “biggest team in Africa” due to the high number of shirts sold since they started their partnership with Amakhosi.
The Italian kit maker is in the third year of its partnership with Chiefs and says what they have witnessed so far has left them surprised as jerseys have been flying off the shelves, with the new 2025-26 already pre-ordered massively.
Joseph claims Chiefs are bigger than Bafana Bafana and feels no team in Africa comes close to their pull despite their on-pitch struggles in the last 10 years.
“You know the truth is, right now we believe we've got the biggest team in Africa. Kaizer Chiefs is bigger than the national team, to be honest with you, we would always look at partnerships with other clubs and the national team,” Joseph told SABC.
Will Kappa sponsor Bafana Bafana as well?
Joseph was responding when asked whether his firm is working on a deal with SAFA for the national team in light of the soon to expire deal between the football association and French kit maker Lecoq Sportif in December this year.
“We would always consider looking at it [SAFA deal], right now, we're just happy with the Kaizer Chiefs sponsorship and that's where our focus remains at this moment in time,” he added.
“If you saw my emails and phone, we get asked by teams all the time to sponsor. So, it's really just about making sure we have the right partnerships done at the right time.”
Joseph then went into details regarding the sale of the 2025-26 kits which were unveiled to fans on Monday, saying they have had to order more since interest has grown after Chiefs’ Nedbank Cup win.
Nedbank Cup win has boosted Chiefs’ kit sales
“We have pre-sold more jerseys for this third season than all previous two seasons. It is an indication with the excitement of the fans. Winning the Nedbank Cup has given the fans more belief and more reasons to buy,” said Joseph.
“The sales after the Nedbank Cup trophy was incredible. The response of the fans as we all know. Everyone wants to buy a winner’s jersey.
“In fact, we had to place additional top ups since the Nedbank Cup because the jerseys launched today were ordered long before the Nedbank Cup was won so the third season is looking very optimistic from purchases from the retailers.”
