PUMA has signed partnership agreements with Banyana Banyana stars Nomvula Kgoale and Noko Matlou, who are members of the national squad which will compete at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

“We welcome Noko and Nomvula to the global PUMA Fam. The partnership fits our commitment to support and empower women in sport, as they are exceptional athletes who continue to inspire women footballers in South Africa,” said Brett Bellinger, PUMA SA Marketing Director. “It’s a World Cup year and we are confident they are going to do the brand and the country proud.”

The duo join South African women footballers Andile Dlamini, Bambanani Mbane, Thalea Smidt, Leandra Smeda, Rhoda Mulaudzi and Zanele Nhlapho in the PUMA family.

Kgoale, who was named to the Hall of Fame at Louisiana Tech University for the quality of her football during her time at the US college, plays in PUMA Future boots: “I’m a versatile player. I don’t play one position. I have both attacking and defensive roles. The boots support my need for control and creativity.”

Matlou, who plays in PUMA Ultra boots, was the first South African to be named African Women Footballer of the Year and plays for Eibar in Spain. “Being so far from home in a foreign country, I needed to become mentally tougher. That has helped me to deal with different challenges on and off the pitch. I have been exposed to a high level of competition in Spain and can now read the game better and I’m much stronger in one-on-one situations.”

Active on social media, Matlou likes to share content that will inspire girls in South Africa: “It’s something I take very seriously. I want them to understand the journey, experience the up and downs, but forever encourage them to strive to fulfil their ambitions.”