There’s A LOT of sport to look forward to this weekend, with the start of the inaugural African Football League (AFL) just one of many events taking place. To mark the occasion PUMA and 13 times league champions Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club (MSFC) have launched the African Dawn kit, to be used during AFL matches.

Their campaign kicks off this Saturday, 21 October with the Brazilians venturing to Angola against Petro Luanda, with the return leg to be played on Saturday 24 October in Tshwane. The two-legged finals of the newly established competition will be played on 5 and 12 November 2023.

The dark blue shirts in PUMA Navy form part of the 3^rd kit for Sundowns and is inspired by the colour of the African sky at the dawning of a new day, according to PUMA. It features a Pele Yellow ribbed crewneck and yellow ribbed cuff, with the CAF Champions League Star appearing above the club badge and the letters MSFC on the back of the neckline alongside a map of Africa.

PUMA notes technology in the players’ shirt ensures this is the lightest ever PUMA shirt, weighing just 72 grams. The material construction has a structured, 4-way stretch to reduce weight and friction. The trims use a new, lighter and more breathable print technique while the bonded seams create a comfortable, lightweight feel says the global sports company.

“With the team about to represent the nation in the inaugural African Football League we have designed this kit to honour Mamelodi Sundowns as they take their place amongst the other as giants of African football. A new League deserves a stylish and special kit for our Team,” said PUMA marketing director Brett Bellinger.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ spokesperson, Tiyani “Shuga” Mabunda welcomed the initiative and said, “It is an honour to be selected as one of the top teams on the continent to participate in this prestigious competition and we could not have chosen a more befitting time to launch this special kit for the Yellow Nation. We trust that the kit will propel our players to break new boundaries and reach new heights.”

The Sundowns’ African Dawn shirt will be available on 16 October 2023. The match shirt with official heat press badge (R1 499) will only be available on PUMA.com and the sundownsfc.store. Meanwhile, the Replica with official embroidery logo (R1 099), will be available from the sundownsfc.store and PUMA.com, Sportsmans Warehouse, Studio 88 and Totalsports.