WORLD CUP KITS: NFF chiefs reject N1.42BN Puma deal

Chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) rejected a last minute move amounting to $4 million (about N1.4billion) by American sportswear manufacturers to get Super Eagles to wear PUMA jerseys at the Russia 2018 World Cup beginning with the country’s opening game against Croatia on June 16.

Sportinglife scooped that the agents of Puma are in dire need to have an African side to wear their products at the Russia 2018 World Cup.

But NFF chiefs chose to stick with their original kits sponsor Nike, which apparently offered a more exciting offer which the honourable sports minister Barrister Solmon Dalung has been invited to witness the signing ceremony when it is done soon, according to Sportinglife’s checks on the Eagles’ affairs Sunday night.

Sportinglife’s decent source stated that: “Both sides have been talking and our teams are almost concluding the draft. The target is to conclude the deal and sign before the World Cup starts and that is very possible now given the level of work already done.

“A lot of events are usually lined up immediately after the World Cup and we all agree that it is best to work things out now. And we are very positive that the final result will make a lot of positive impact on the brand Super Eagles and the fortunes of the team and Nigeria as a country at the World Cup. It’s all very good. I am not sure we have ever had the kind of package we are getting this time.”

“As a matter of fact that aspect is one of the major highlights of the kind of relationship we have with Nike and our major partners right now.

“We have been able to prove that the federation works one hundred per cent on corporate governance as seen in the best practises all over the world. The trust has continually attracted more and more sponsors and this all good for the Super Eagles brand and Nigeria,” he said.