Rahul SahaThis article contains information regarding the organisations enjoying a strong branding presence across the Zambia men’s and/or women’s national football teams’ physical and digital assets as sponsors and partners of the Football Association of Zambia.
Name of the football federation: Football Association of Zambia (FAZ)
Also read: FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Sponsors
Official Sponsors
MTN
MTN Group Limited is a South African multinational telecommunications company. It is Africa’s largest mobile network operator.
In March 2018, the FAZ announced the signing of a three-year partnership deal with MTN, which became a sponsor of both the Zambian Super League and the Copper Bullets (Zambia’s men’s national football team).
In 2021, MTN extended its sponsorship of the Zambian Super League and the Zambia’s men’s national football team as part of a three-year agreement with the FAZ that is reportedly worth ZK43 million (Zambian Kwacha).
Nike
Nike is an American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes sportswear, clothing, footwear, and accessories across the world. It is one of the largest sportswear manufacturers in the world.
In 2004, Nike became a kit and equipment supplier for the FAZ and its teams. However, after an 11-year association, the deal was cut short in 2015 following rumours of a breach in contract and charges of corruption. For the next year, the FAZ roped in Italian manufacturer Kappa on a one-year deal. In May 2016, it signed a two-year deal with Singaporean sports apparel maker Mafro.
In January 2018, the FAZ stated that it intended to create its own brand, which would also help increase the governing body’s revenue and give it full control over the value chain. However, Nike has reportedly returned as the FAZ teams’ official kit and equipment supplier until the federation finds a more permanent solution.
SuperSport
SuperSport is a South Africa-based group of television channels carried on the DStv and Canal+ satellite platforms alongside the GOtv terrestrial platform and Showmax Pro for live sports programming.
In 2010, the FAZ signed an initial three-year, US$850,000-per-year television rights deal with SuperSport. In 2015, the two parties extended their association for five more years, with the new deal reportedly worth US$1 million annually. In 2020, the two parties again renewed their partnership for an undisclosed fee.
Mosi Lager
Zambian Breweries is part of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the largest brewery in the world. Founded in 1963, Zambian Breweries sells a varied range of clear beers such as Mosi Lager, Castle, Carling Black Label, Eagle and Corona.
In May 2016, Zambian Breweries and the FAZ announced the signing of a one-year sponsorship deal that made Mosi Lager an official sponsor of the Zambia men’s national football team. Although no announcements have been made since then, Mosi Lager remains listed as an official Copper Bullets sponsor on the FAZ website.
