By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@KaizerChiefs.
Kaizer Chiefs Football Club have announced that they have partnered with Kappa after their 22-year partnership with Nike came to an end.
The club confirmed on Thursday they have parted ways Nike.
The agreement to reunite two of the leading brands in football was signed in Italy on Thursday, rekindling a relationship that first started in 1989 for seven glorious trophy-laden years and a memorable football fashion journey.
“We are excited to team up with Kappa once again, a brand with which Chiefs set new records and established itself as trendsetters in African football in the early 1990s.
Kappa, like Chiefs, is a unique brand of style and class and one of the key players in the global football kit space.
Kappa have had great partnerships with some of the world’s leading football clubs, as well as a number of local teams over the years. This deal is not only an acknowledgment of our past but also an exciting leap into the future for the club,” says Chiefs marketing and commercial director, Jessica Motaung, who is in Italy this week to finalise and conclude the relationship.
The relationship between Chiefs and Kappa dates back to 1989, when Chiefs first wore the chic Italian brand. The partnership – which lasted until 1996 – saw the two brands build a strong and proud heritage. Over this time, Chiefs won many trophies and became leaders in the football fashion sphere. This marriage also generated enormous growth for the Kappa brand in South Africa and neighbouring countries.
Michael Joseph, CEO of Kappa South Africa says: “The signing of this partnership with Kaizer Chiefs has been a target of our company since we reignited the Kappa brand in South Africa in 2010. This partnership is in perfect alignment with our ambition and continuous goals to continue to make Kappa the largest sports brand in Africa.
We are thrilled to be once again partnering with a club like Chiefs whose passion and drive in all aspects, matches that of our brand. Not only are they an ambitious club, with a strong identity and uniqueness of elegance and excellence, but their fans are their priority. Kappa together with Kaizer Chiefs, are going to reinstall the romance of the 90’s and deliver something extraordinary to these fans.
Our common glorious past, must be a strength for the future of our partnership and we are really excited to unveil our products to the club’s players and supporters in the coming seasons.
Our commitment to the club is to deliver not only to itself but to its fans the most beautiful attire and product seen to date.”
Great players such as Doctor Khumalo, Lucas Radebe, Fani Madida, Gary Bailey, late Isaac ‘Shakes’ Kungwane, Marks Maponyane, Neil Tovey, Donald ‘Ace’ Khuse and many other former players wore Kappa with pride and lifted almost every trophy that was on offer in the late 1980s until 1996.
Chiefs is the most popular and successful sports team in South Africa. During its proud 53-year history, Amakhosi have won 76 official trophies and have a support base of nearly 20 million supporters.
“We believe that the reignited partnership with Kappa will introduce and bring about new technical product innovation and exciting designs for our teams and supporters. We are looking forward to this new journey with our long-time friends, Kappa, as they embark on reclaiming their position and dominance in the South African football and sports market,” concludes Motaung.