Orlando Pirates and adidas have launched the club’s new home and away jersey for the upcoming 2016-2017 season.
The home jersey retains its iconic black strip while it introduces a new interpretation in its execution. The three stripes have changed from their traditional white to light grey instead, and the Vodacom logo has taken a horizontal position across the front of the jersey.
A Mandarin collar has replaced the V-neck shape of the previous seasons, and the 3D badge which proudly adorns the heart of the jersey completes the look, resembling the intricate logo detail as will be seen in the jerseys of adidas football giants who will be playing in the UEFA Champions League.
‘We worked with Orlando Pirates to develop what we believe is a stylish jersey that is appealing to the fans and further entrenches a strong connection with the club,’ said adidas South Africa head of football Adrian De Souza.
The away jersey sees a significant change in colour, as it moves from the recently recognised red. The 2016-17 away jersey, the club has gone back to the traditional white jersey, while keeping a touch of Power Red. Sporting a V-Neck collar as opposed to the Mandarin, the Club has heeded the call of the supporters to move to a white jersey, showcasing the iconic black adidas stripes across the shoulder.
‘Orlando Pirates is a Club steeped in great history, and as we approach our 80th Anniversary, we felt that it was important to honour certain elements of that history in the executions of our new jerseys. We are proud of our new jerseys and look forward to seeing them both on the field and in the stands.’ says Orlando Pirates Brand Activation Manager Tokoloho Moeketsi.
Technology
The kit features the latest adidas technologies to ensure that it not only evokes pride in the jersey but gives Orlando Pirates an edge on the pitch:
ClimaCool™ – adidas ClimaCool technology provides a mixture of heat and moisture controlling materials, ventilation channels and 3D fabrics to improve air flow to the skin in key heat zones meaning that when the body heats up during exercise, for instance, ClimaCool ensures that the athlete remains cool. So when you see the likes of Thabo Matlaba and Abbubaker Mobara in the heat of battle, the ClimaCool will ensure that they remain optimally cool as they calmly collect from the back and launched the Bucs’ attack.
The Orlando Pirates home jersey will be donned for the first time on Wednesday, 24 August when the Buccaneers kick off their Premier Soccer League campaign against Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium.
Both the home and away jerseys will be available on the 19 August 2016 at adidas performance stores as well as key sports and football retailers countrywide at a recommended retail price of R749 for adult jerseys and R649 for youth.