Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana's new kit was launched on Tuesday in Johannesburg and the South African Football Association (SAFA) is delighted with the end result after months of negotiations.

The protracted negotiations meant Bafana's previous technical sponsor carried on providing kit for the national side even after the expiry of the contract at the end of December 2010.

But now the association has officially ended its 12-year partnership with the German sports apparel manufacturer for another German sportswear company, Puma.

SAFA president Kirsten Nematandani has provided details of the deal.

"This partnership is effective from July 1 and will last beyond the next two World Cups (2014 and 2018)," he said.

"Puma will provide playing kit for all our national teams, including the women and youth teams. Bafana will wear the jersey for the first time on August 10 this year when we play our next match.

"I'm pleased to say SAFA are very happy to have secured this deal...it was very clear from the beginning that Puma were the most desirable company to align ourselves with.

"They are the perfect partner. The negotiations took long because it was very, very important that we did this right. It is a deal that covers two World Cups and when you do that sort of deal, you must make sure nothing goes wrong."

Puma officials confirmed that a limited edition will be available in the next few weeks, but declined to comment on the price except to say it will depend on the marketplace - adding that the money raised from the limited edition kit will not be for commercial purposes but rather it will provide funding for grassroots football in the country.

Bafana's previous jersey cost roughly R600. 



Bafana Bafana kit launch at Soccer City in Johannesburg.