BY Obakeng Maje

The South African Breweries’ (SAB) ‘beer behind our boys’, Castle Lager has extended its two decade long association with the South African Senior Men’s National Team (Bafana Bafana), by an additional 5 years.

“We are extremely proud of our association with Bafana Bafana and thrilled to renew our sponsorship of the team for a further five years. Over the last twenty years we have stood by them during their highs and lows and look forward to making a meaningful contribution, as they re-establish themselves at the top of African Football, starting with the 2013 African Cup of Nations” says Vincent Maphai, SAB Executive Director Corporate Affairs and Transformation.

Football has been a key part of Castle Lager, with its first sponsorship foray into the sport going back to 1959. The relationship with Bafana Bafana began some two decades ago, at the time of South Africa’s readmission to international football in 1992, when Castle Lager became the team’s first sponsor.
The brand has seen the team through three FIFA World Cup final appearances (1998, 2006), including on home soil in 2010. And the crowning achievement still remains lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 1996.

 “As much as we focus on the past and our long and fruitful relationship with Bafana Bafana, we at SAB are excited about the future of the team with the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2014 FIFA World Cup on the horizon.

“We will continue to lend whatever support we can to the team to ensure that future South African stars get the same wonderful opportunities at international level that those over the past 20 years have enjoyed,” says Maphai.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has extended its thanks to Castle Lager for the support given over the years, as well as the future commitment.
“Castle Lager has always been Bafana Bafana’s undisputed number one supporter and we as SAFA are very excited and grateful at this sponsorship extension. Castle Lager has always been synonymous with the country’s Senior Men’s National Team and the next five years is going to continue the exciting journey,” said SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani.

“For any national team to do well on the international stage, there is need for financial backing and we are very grateful to Castle Lager for sticking with Bafana Bafana through thick and thin,” he added.
Castle Lager’s highly successful SuperFans campaign will again rally the nation behind Bafana Bafana later this year during the 2013 African Cup of Nations. Called “Africa United”, the campaign will see 16 PSL fans chosen as Bafana Bafana SuperFans.

Bafana Bafana’s next international fixture will be away in Sao Paolo, Brazil on 7 September 2012. Castle Lager will accompany the team as a new era dawns for the national team under the stewardship of recently appointed head coach, Gordon Igesund.