South African Football Association announces Chiliz partnership

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced a partnership with blockchain provider Chiliz.

The partnership will see Chiliz launch the official Fan Token on its fan engagement platform Socios.com for the South Africa men’s national football team.

The aim of the partnership is to enhance and change the way the team connects with their fan base, “leveraging digital innovation to foster a closer, more interactive community for supporters.”

Lydia Monyepao, CEO of the South African Football Association, commented:

“This partnership represents a new chapter in SAFA’s journey into Web3, Blockchains and Fan Tokens, to reward exclusive experiences to our passionate fans not only across South Africa but also as we grow our fan base globally that are already using NFTs. Bafana Bafana has always been the people’s team on the African continent, and through this collaboration we are exploring innovative ways for fans to be part of the team’s global journey, starting with the FIFA World Cup opening match in Mexico City next month. Socios is a global player whose experience working with top football clubs and national teams to unlock unique assets for loyal and digitally engaged fans will surely benefit our brand’s growth within this demographic.”

Alexandre Dreyfus, CEO of Chiliz and Socios.com, added:

“Welcoming Bafana Bafana to our ecosystem is a proud moment. The passion of South African football fans is undeniable, and we look forward to providing a platform where that passion can be recognised and rewarded. As we enter a World Cup year, we are committed to building a global community where fans have a voice and a unique connection to their national teams.”