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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
FC PLATINUM have hailed the coming on board of Umbro as their new technical partners as they look to bolster their position as one of the best football brands, in Zimbabwe.
The three-time champions announced a three-year marriage, with the British sportswear and football equipment supplier, this week.
Under the agreement, Umbro will supply training wear, and match kits, for the club.
The president of the Zvishavane giants, Fabian Mashingaidze, said this was part of their mission to become a giant in African football.
“We are delighted to partner with Umbro as this partnership speaks to our vision of becoming a leading brand in Africa,” he said.
”As the famous Chinese proverb says ‘a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’, and a partnership of this magnitude is, indeed, that step that aligns us with our African aspiration.”
Club spokesperson, Chido Chizondo, said the deal bodes well with their vision to make an impact on the continent.
“This is a new chapter in the history of our club, we are excited by the partnership,” he said.
”Umbro, as our new technical partners, will supply kits and equipment for the entire team.
“They will also supply alternative and formal wear for the team, including the technical, and executive members.
”In short, all our equipment will be supplied by Umbro.
“This is a massive deal for us, as a club, it’s of greater more importance considering we are playing continental football.
”It is strategic in that it will also help us reach out to the foreign market, thereby broadening our revenue base.”
The platinum miners replaced Italian sportswear brand, Kappa, who had come to be associated with the club, in the last few seasons. “We are proud to welcome the reigning champions of Zimbabwe, FC Platinum, to the Umbro family,” said Umbro, in a Twitter statement.
Umbro South Africa representative, Kirby Stein, confirmed the developments, via the company’s website.
“Partnerships with clubs such as FC Platinum speak to our commitment to the growth, and development, of Zimbabwean football.
“FC Platinum have become one of Zimbabwe football’s most successful teams, winning three consecutive Premier Soccer League titles, (securing) four CAF Champions League qualifications, and two appearances, in the CAF Confederation Cup.
“We are delighted to welcome them to the Umbro brand stable and look forward to a meaningful, and dynamic partnership, over the years to come,” said Stein.
Umbro, who are also the official kit suppliers for the Warriors, are hoping to recoup their investment into the deal, from the sale of replica jerseys, and other branded merchandise.
Chizondo said the replicas were expected to be released, into the market, just before the start of the new Premiership season.
FC Platinum are celebrating a decade in the Premiership this year.
They have embraced the invitation from ZIFA to represent the nation in the next edition of the CAF Champions League.
The platinum miners were picked on account of having been the last team to win the ticket in 2019.
The Zvishavane side were crowned domestic champions in 2019.
“We are looking forward to participating in the Champions League,” said Chizondo.
“But, it looks like it’s going to be difficult again to prepare ourselves adequately under the circumstances because of the Covid-19 disruptions.
“However, we are in constant communication with the PSL and ZIFA to see how best we can manoeuvre under these conditions.”
FC Platinum have represented Zimbabwe, in the last four successive Champions League campaigns.
After their debut in 2012, they went on to play in the 2018, 2019 and 2020, 2020-2021 editions.
FC Platinum are the third major partner for the global sportswear brand in the region, joining the Warriors and Ngezi Platinum .
Online Reporter