Times Of Swaziland: ITALIAN SPORTSWEAR FOR SIHLANGU

ITALIAN SPORTSWEAR FOR SIHLANGU
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BY ASHMOND NZIMA  on 27/05/2019 02:32:00


MBABANE – Are Sihlangu on the verge of securing a new kit deal with Italian
sportswear Macron?
A partnership involving the supply of home and away kits for the national outfit
by Macron, among other items, is reportedly on the cards.  Sihlangu paraded
their new jersey, which is predominantly blue during their Council of Southern
Africa Football Association (COSAFA) Cup opener against Mauritius in Durban,
South Africa, two days ago. The newly-launched Eswatini Football Association
(EFA) logo also appeared on the new jerseys.
Other Macron-branded items already inside the national team camp in Durban are
black shorts as well green and yellow tops for the technical team and players.
The other jersey in camp is mainly gold.
It could not be immediately ascertained if the same would be available for fans
who would like to appear in national team colours. Some fans who had travelled
with the national teams on Saturday had worn their own t-shirts supplied by the
newly-formed Supporters Club. In social media platforms, some had expressed
their disappointment on not being able to get a national team replica jersey.
negotiations
It was alleged that another reputable sportswear brand had been approached
first, but negotiations could not yield the desired results. The rejected brand
(name withheld), according to impeccable sources, reportedly wanted not less
than E3 million for a two-year deal.
Well informed impeccable sources within EFA said there was nothing formal yet
pending the return of the team from the regional football soccer showpiece in
Durban, but never ruled out chances of a partnership.
reputable
Meanwhile, Macron is a reputable international brand. Last month it sponsored
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)-bound Harambee Stars of Kenya.  Other African
nations on board are Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. Founded in 1971, it is considered
a European leader in the production of active sportswear. Other national teams
that are reportedly under their umbrella since 2013 are Ireland, Malta, Norway,
Albania, Andorra, Belarus, United Arab Emirates and Lebanon, among others.
Closer to home, they sponsored South Africa’s National First Division side
Witbank Spurs, who are based in the Mpumalanga Province.
Before Macron came on board, Sihlangu were using Adidas kits.
EFA CEO Frederick Mngomezulu, when sought for comment last night, said no
technical sponsor had been secured at this stage, but said issues surrounding
the new kit and the newly-unveiled logo, would be availed during the official
launch of the latter on a date to be confirmed. The logo was unveiled at Sigwaca
House in Mbabane last Friday. The insignia is shaped like a horse shoe with a
soccer ball at the centre with big letters E.F.A while on the sides there is a
small map of the Kingdom of Eswatini.