Pascalinah Kabi
MASERU — The national soccer team failed to don their promised new attire against Burundi on Friday after a local clothing firm could not deliver the new set of uniforms on time.
Lesotho beat Burundi 1-0 in a World Cup preliminary round at Setsoto.
Basutoland Ink, which sponsors all the country’s soccer teams, had earlier promised to deliver the new set of uniforms to the Lesotho Football Association (Lefa) ahead of the Burundi encounter.
But in a statement on Friday the company said it failed to deliver on its promise due “to unforeseen technical difficulties”.
Thousands of soccer fans who turned up at Setsoto Stadium expected to see Likuena donning the new kit but were surprised when the team entered the pitch in their traditional Addidas attire.
“In terms of the commencement of the agreement, the senior men’s national football team were supposed to start wearing Basutoland Ink playing attire from November 11, 2011,” Basutoland Ink said in the press release.
“However, due to unforeseen technical difficulties, there has been a slight delay regarding this agreement.”
The sponsor said the new uniform will now be available during the second week of December.
“The attire will available to the Lesotho Football Association (Lefa) and for public purchase during the second week of December.
“Basutoland Ink apologises for this delay and any inconvenience that was experienced as a result,” the company said.
Basutoland Ink had promised to avail the new soccer kit and supporters’ merchandise to the public by end of August when they signed a five-year sponsorship deal with Lefa.
Under the contract, Basutoland Ink are to supply Lefa with kits for all the national teams as well as supporters’ apparel.
Apart from supplying kits to all national football teams Basutoland Ink sweetened the deal by promising M5 million cash in incentives to national soccer teams that qualify for any Fifa accredited tournament.
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