Senegal Football Federation (FSF) has announced the conclusion of talks with German sportswear manufacturer Puma as kit provider for the national team ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The Teranga Lions have been without a shirt sponsor since September following the expiration of their contract with Romai Sports of the United Arab Emirates.
The FSF president Augustin Senghor said they opted for Puma over Nike, Adidas and 361° due to ‘credibility and economic interest’. A five-year deal worth $3 million is being finalised, according to Senghor.
The Lions are not new to Puma, which sponsored the team for 10 years between 2005 and 2015.
Former Senegal international Lamine Diatta told ACLSports that he feels the FSF made the right decision not to renew the contract with Romai Sports, which he said was not providing the team with what was required.
“The image and presentation of a team matter a lot in the business of sports. And that I think should be well taken care of by the kit sponsors and it requires attention to the smallest detail,” he said.
“Romai Sports was not giving us what we wanted. I think Puma would be great for the World Cup, and let’s hope their image would bring us luck at the tournament.”
Most of Puma’s African clients such as Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast will be absent in Russia. However, Senegal, Switzerland and Uruguay will be the ones to fly the cat logo in the tournament.
