Umbro deal charms Manicaland
SOCCER fans and former players in Manicaland praised the new Zifa administration for securing a three-year kit sponsorship deal with renowned British sportswear and football equipment supplier, Umbro.
Umbro will supply a full consignment of training equipment, travelling gear and playing kits for all the national teams, including the women and various age groups for the next three years.
The British sportswear manufacturers will also provide replicas for sale to the supporters with the first batch of the consignment expected before the Warriors’ Afcon qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville next month. The landmark deal brings an end to a period where national teams wore unbranded kits of relatively low quality.
Chashe Moyo said Zifa has done well for securing sponsorship.
“Well done to Zifa for securing this sponsorship for all our national teams. Umbro is one the best brands in sport and I am looking forward to get my replica Warriors Umbro jersey,” he said.
Another fan from Honde Valley Lameck Mapiti said Umbro is a good brand.
“I think it is a good deal considering that Umbro is a good brand as compared to the other jerseys that our nation team has used before. We are looking forward to buying our replica jerseys as fans,” he said.
Aaron Chiba from Yeovil believes the jersey will bring good fortune to the national team.
“It is a good deal. I believe the jersey will bring us good fortunes. It is good that we have a brand that we are associated with. I am very happy with this achievement,” he said.
Former Warriors player Lazarus Muhoni said it is a blessing to Zimbabwe football.
“Umbro kit sponsorship to Zimbabwe soccer its blessing and it is positive development on Zimbabwe soccer.
“We have been longing for this nice excellent brand. We have good examples all over the world soccer teams, rugby teams, athletics teams, swimming teams also golf teams using this brand. It is a world class brand and this will rejuvenate and boost our Warriors as we play our last Afcon qualifier game at home.
“As a former Warriors player I am happy with this initiative done by our new Zifa board. I want to applaud the Zifa president with only two months in office, he has done well.
“Also a player during our days of playing at national team we used to see teams like Egypt, Cameroon wearing good brands like Kappa, Nike, and Addidas and it was also our dream to wear one of these brands,” said Muhoni.
Some of the teams dressed by Umbro include , Chippa United, Free State Stars, Maritzburg United, University of Pretoria, Club Africain, Espérance de Tunisia, Power Dynamos, Everton, West Ham, Bournemouth, Huddersfield (EPL), Gremio (Brazil) CSKA Moscow (Russia), to name but just a few.