Vuvuzela South Africa

Well, now we know – Adidas’ Jabulani (Happiness) is the new Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Match Ball – and it was carried on to the stage at the Cape Town International Convention Centre last night by South Africa’s Oscar winning  star, Charlize Theron.

Jabulani – 11 Colours

Jabulani has 11 colors honouring each of South Africa’s eleven official languages, the 11 match ball, and the 11 players on the field. The Jabulani has only eight thermally bonded panels, which makes the ball a perfect sphere and ensures accuracy. Jabulani is  Adidas’ 11th Official World Cup Match Ball and will become part of the history of famous match balls.

Grip ‘n Groove Technology

Adidas said that its new Grip’n’Groove technology enabled a more stable flight and the goosebumps on the ball’s surface provided players with a perfect grip under all conditions. With only eight thermally bonded panels, which are spherically molded, the ball is perfectly round and more accurate.

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Match Schedule

Popularity: 22% [?]

Adidas has created the Unite Mzansi Unite campaign   a project that will inspire all South Africans to unite in celebration behind 2010 FIFA World Cup and the national team.

That the jersey is touring the Western Cape at present, but check out where the truck is or  to sign the Bafana Bafana 2010 World Cup jersey online.

Popularity: 14% [?]

OK, we are all stoked about the World Cup Final Draw on 4 December in Cape Town when we will know where and whom the 32 teams are playing, but what about the Official World Cup Match Ball?

Very little has been said about the most important element of this 2010 World Cup Mix – the Match Ball.

Every World Cup, Adidas releases a special World Cup Match Ball that becomes part of the history and hype of the tournament.

Confederations Cup – Kopanya

The name of the ball and its unusual design pay tribute to 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup hosts, South Africa. ‘Kopanya’ was unveiled as the Official Match Ball of the 2009 tournament.

The word ‘kopanya’ comes from Southern Sesotho, an official language spoken by almost five million people throughout the rainbow nation. Literally translated, kopanya means, “join together.”

The design honours tradition while embracing the future – a core value of Adidas. Like its predecessor, the ‘Europass’ (used for UEFA EURO 2008™) the Adidas ‘Kopanya’ provides perfect flight characteristics and allows the players exceptional ball control.

With Kopanya, which we seem to have been using since then, Adidas for the first time presented a match ball specifically made for the FIFA Confederations Cup, with a bright, colourful Ndebele style design.

The History of the Official World Cup Match Balls

Adidas started to make soccer balls in 1963 but made the first official FIFA World Cup ball in 1970. The first ball used in the World Cup to use the Buckminster type of design. The first ball with 32 black and white panels. The TELSTAR was more visible on black and white televisions (1970 FIFA World Cup Mexico™ was the first to be broadcast live on television).

• Telstar : Mexico, 1970
• Telstar Durlast R: West Germany, 1974
• Tango Durlast: Argentina, 1978
• Tango Espana: Spain, 1982
• Azteca : México, 1986
• Etrvsco:  Italy, 1990
• Questra: USA, 1994
• Tricolore: France, 1998
• ICON Women’s World Cup 1999 Match Ball
• Fevernova TM : Korea Japan, 2002
• Fevernova: USA Women’s World Cup 2003
• Teamgeist Germany, Berlin, and Final Balls 2006 for FIFA World Cup Germany, 2006

Other Soccer Ball History Information on Soccer Ball World.

Picture: Soccerball World.com

Popularity: 24% [?]

Well that’s the Bafana Bafana’s 16th new jersey in 11 years and let’s hope it is the lucky strip that will take the team past the opening round of the 2010 World Cup.

New Bafana Bafana Jersey

According to Kickoff, “the New Bafana Bafana kit is not much different from the current one, other than it being a whole lot sleeker and bearing a small South African flag, it was the one chosen from 21 alternatives by the Bafana players and technical team.” But if the new jerseys makes the boys feel new and good and they play well, the Bafana fans will agree, it will be well worth it, even if the jerseys need to be made with solid gold thread!

Players will wear the new strip for the first time on Saturday in the friendly against Japan in Port Elizabeth when the new look Bafana team under the guidance of coach Carlos Alberto Parreira runs onto the pitch.

Adidas Bafana Bafana Jersey Campaign

You have maybe seen the ad on some soccer websites the one with the hand that comes out of the yellow jersey  and signs on it? Well,  jersey sponsors Adidas have unveiled a new initiative to get as many of the country’s citizens to sign a massive replica  of the new Bafana Bafana strip – almost the size of a soccer pitch – before the tournament kicks off.

No News Yet of Starting Line-up for Saturday

Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is keeping is team for Saturday’s friendly against Japan in Port Elizabeth close to his chest, but it looks like  strikers Benni Mc Carthy and Kermit Erasmus are on fire – maybe Bafana fans will be able to shout Laduma ! once more.

Photo: The New Bafana Bafana Jersey – Ready for the 2010 World Cup - Kickoff

Popularity: 67% [?]

Football boots. Right – when you mention kit to any soccer player, there is very little they enjoy talking about more than their boots – not just the brand – Adidas, Nike, Reebok, Lotto, Puma -  but also every single detail.

Footy-Boots.com is currently running the Football Boots Awards 2009 and asking readers, supporters, players, and soccer boot enthusiasts across the globe to cast their vote.

Predator Power Swerve

Although former Liverpool Star Craig Johnson is the man behind the Predator, he gives six excellent tips on what to look for when you choose your perfect football boot.

Six Categories – Vote for your Favorite Football Boots

Of the six categories, five are open, public votes with one category being decided by a panel of experts.

Voting will run for two weeks and results will be published shortly after.

So, if you have not recorded your opinion yet, make sure you do so soon. Not only could you swing the vote in favor of your favorite footy boots, you could also be in line to win some fantastic prizes. Get over to www.footy-boots.com and cast your vote

Popularity: 17% [?]