Ahead of their World Cup opening match against Sweden this week, Banyana Banyana unveiled their all-new limited edition football team kit.
Designed by Lwazi Ngcungama, the all-black shirt is a subtle nod to a bygone era.
Ngcungama came out victorious when he was chosen as the winner in a design competition in which the public was tasked with creating shirts for the South African senior national football teams.
Ngcungama said he wanted the kit to pay homage to the Class of 1996 - the only generation to lift the African Cup Of Nations.
It appears his dream has paid off as fans are loving the new kit, designed in collaboration with French sportswear brand, Le Coq Sportif.
Earlier this year, Le Coq debuted to new home and away kits that Banyana Banyana will also don during the World Cup tournament.
The two kits are a striking combination of green and yellow, with a modern twist.
The design was inspired by the traditional colours of South African football and is symbolic of the team's determination and strength.
The new LCS x SAFA away jersey is a celebration of Banyana’s success in Rabat, wearing green when they picked up gold in 2022.
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) April 28, 2023
A statement piece for a statement team who continue to forge the path for generations to come. #Lecoqsportifza #lcsport #banyana #bafana pic.twitter.com/47F9Ru7aYW
The away thread is said to be a celebration of Banyana’s success in Rabat, wearing green when they picked up gold in 2022. A statement piece for a statement team who continue to forge the path for future generations.
It features a bold, eye-catching design, with an intricate pattern of green and the South African flag in the front and back which embody nationhood, patriotism and the essence of Ubuntu.
The new LCS x SAFA home jersey carries the South African flag in both the front and back panel, embodying nationhood, patriotism and essence of Ubuntu.
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) April 28, 2023
See it donned for the first time when Banyana flies the SA flag high in AUS/NZ. 🇿🇦#Lecoqsportifza #banyana #bafanabafana pic.twitter.com/vAE9J1x1OK
The release of the new kit is a milestone for the women's national team. It is the first time that a major clothing brand has let football fans design a kit specifically for the Banyana Banyana team.
A celebration of South African Football. Our past, present and future. #OurTimeNow #Lecoqsportifza #Lecoqsportif #safa #banyanabanyana #bafanabafana pic.twitter.com/ZeW182TwSt
— lecoqsportif za (@LeCoqSportif_SA) June 20, 2023
This is a huge step forward, as it shows the South African Football Association’s (SAFA) efforts to a more inclusive forging of the future of football in the country.
This article was originally published on IOL.
