adminNoel Munzabwa in Mbabane, Swaziland
WARRIORS’ goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva’s star continues to rise as he has landed a one-year renewable endorsement deal with Cape Town-based sports kit and wear manufacturers Umbro South Africa.
Just as Mukuruva was landing in Windhoek, Namibia, for this year’s edition of the Cosafa Senior Cup that kicks off tomorrow, Swaziland-based broker Dingane Maduna was confirming the deal.
“Tatenda submitted his CV and was subsequently interviewed and I am happy to say the endorsement deal has been approved by Umbro and the player will be kitted soon after the Cosafa tournament,” said Maduna.
“We respect the fact that Tatenda is with the national team in Namibia for the Cosafa Cup, otherwise we have agreed; it’s now a matter of emailing the contract, doing photo shoots and he picks up his first batch. Tatenda will be supplied with three pairs of soccer boots, two sets of goalkeepers gloves, clothing and travelling (allowance for photo shoots) after every two months.”
Mukuruva is the only goalkeeper among the present players under the endorsement deal who include the Orlando Pirates trio of Tendai Ndoro, Thabo Qalinge and Sifiso Myeni. There is also Supersport United’s Clinton Daniels and William Thwala of Kaizer Chiefs, as well as Free State Stars’ Paulos Masehe.
Mukuruva joins a growing band of past and present Zimbabwean players that earned endorsement deals, among them former Caps United striker and the club’s marketing officer Alois Bunjira who enjoyed a two-year Adidas deal in 1996.
Yesterday, Bunjira described an endorsement deal as one joyous moment worth cherishing for any player.
“It was a great moment…and also a first and they (Adidas) looked after me very well. I used to get a box of regalia every month.
“I was actually the first player to wear white predators in Zimbabwe. Hopefully the player will be a good ambassador for the brand,” said Bunjira.
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derick.khumalo