The wave of anticipation that has accompanied the launch of Kaizer Chiefs' new kit into their second year with Italian manufactures Kappa has raised hopes that the commercial viability of the deal will be matched by success on the field.
Chiefs' new home and away jerseys – which will go on sale on Friday – will be launched on Thursday evening and will then be used with effect from the Toyota Cup on Sunday against Young Africans in Bloemfontein.
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Last season, the Soweto giants enjoyed commercial viability with Kappa in the first year of their partnership despite crumbling on the field.
The club will be hoping for another big hitter in the second year of their reunion with Kappa, who previously sponsored Amakhosi from 1989 to 1996 when the club was still a dominant force.
Chiefs were league champions in 1989 and went on to lift 11 trophies until 1996 when Reebok took over.
Despite the challenges presented by the counterfeit industry and the team not performing, the Naturena-based outfit's jerseys flew off the shelves retailing at R1200, with the Kombat away the best seller.
A wide variety of merchandise, which included t-shirts, bags, tracksuits, jackets, and caps, was offered.
Though no specific figure has been given, there have been indications that the revenue generated from the sale of Chiefs' Kappa merchandise went into hundreds of millions of Rands.
The Kappa retail outlets and all retailers are expecting brisk business again with effect from Friday.
Meanwhile, all merchandise from last season is already heavily discounted.
Amakhosi' deal with Kappa – structured differently to what they had with Nike – is now standing amongst the flagship deals for the Italian manufacturers.
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While the commercial section of the club is in safe hands, what will matter most is what happens on the field this season with another new coach, Nasreddine Nabi, having taken over.
Chiefs have not won silverware since May 2015.