Adama: PUMA Didn't Snub Us

Contrary to reports that they were snubbed by popular kit makers, Puma, before signing with American sportswear giants, Nike, the Nigeria Football Federation have denied such claims, insisting it was Nike that showed the biggest commitment.


Speaking to SL10.ng, director of marketing at the NFF, Idris Adama, described such suggestions as “a lie”, saying Puma didn’t show enough commitment to seal a deal with the Glass House.

“It’s a lie, Puma never showed interest,” he told sl10.ng. “If they indicated any interest, they never showed any commitment and we cannot accept expressions of interest without commitment.”

The Nigeria Football Federation last week announced a partnership with American kit manufacturers, Nike, after a contract signing ceremony in London, replacing former sponsors, Adidas.

There were reported interests from Puma, which Adama confirms, as the German sportswear giants were one of the kit makers that were approached, but insists it was Nike that showed the highest commitment.

“We approached so many kit suppliers in the world,” he continued. “And so many of them indicated their interests, and also, so many of them did not.

“We saw the highest commitment was from Nike and that is why we negotiated with them and signed with them,” he added.

Nike, who supplied kits to the Nigerian football teams from 1995 to 2002, have replaced Adidas, and the first year of their new contract with the NFF is worth $750, 000.