Puma wins Ghana kit deal

Ghana?s Black Stars would be unveiling their Puma apparel at the 2006 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The Ghana Football Association finally brokered a deal with the German kit manufacturers, Puma as apparel sponsor for the country?s national football teams days before the Black Stars played Cape Verde in Praia last week.

Puma beat two other leading kit manufacturers, Adidas and Nike to the deal after proposing a more lucrative package.

The FA had been assessing proposals from some leading kit manufacturers including Puma, Adidas, Asics, Pony and Umbro.

Officials of Puma led by vice-president, Horst Widmann are expected in Accra this week to put pen to paper.

Ghana ended her world cup qualification last Saturday wearing Umbro apparel but surprisingly, the British kit manufacturer pulled out of the race to kit Ghana, one of Africa?s five representatives at next year?s world cup. Umbro provided kits to the national teams but were being purchased by the FA?s major sponsors-Goldfields Ghana.

According to a Joy Sports source, Puma has proposed to give Ghana one of the best deals it has for an African country apart from the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon. Ghana according to reports is to reap $100,000 as signing on fee while Puma takes care of bonuses for the national teams.

Puma would also help organize international assignments friendly games for the national sides.

Puma recently signed a two-year contract with Togo to join Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia who are all signed to the German company.