Sports apparel company PUMA unveiled in a dazzling ceremony on Thursday the official kits for eight of the teams participating in the African Cup of Nations. The ceremony, organized by PR firm Promo Seven, took place in the Giza Plateau of the Pyramids area and was attended by PUMA chief executive Jochen Zeitz. “Ten years ago we began sponsoring the Cameroon federation, today we have moved on to work on the sports organization in general,” Zeitz told reporters. The German company is the official supplier for Angola, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo and Tunisia. Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o, Senegal's El-Hadji Diouf, Aruna Dindane and Tunisian ace Radhi Jaidi presented the kits for their respective countries. “African football is known its pace and vigor, that's why our company does its best to provide top quality products like balls, shirts and boots to keep up with the rhythm of the game,” he added.
Senegal striker Diouf Egyptian players were a no show at the press event that comes less than 24 hours ahead of their African Cup opener against Libya. Ahli winger Gilberto of Angola also missed out on representing Angola after an achilles injury forced him to travel to Germany for an immediate operation. Participating players took turns in addressing the press and concentrated on the importance of representing their nations in such tournaments as the African Cup. “The national team is very important,” said Diouf. “Clubs are important too, but representing one's country is great.” Jaidi echoed Diouf's sentiments, saying: “I'm Tunisian, born in Tunisia, and despite the tough choice, my country comes first.” Barcelona striker Eto'o sent a message to CAF officials pointing out the inconvenience Europe-based players like him go through due to the time conflict between the Euorpean football calendar and that of the African Cup. Eto'o said that he was happy to represent his country, but still wishes a compromised timetable would be arranged in the future.
