Celebrating 80 years of their existence, Orlando Pirates and adidas have released a special edition shirt to commemorate the landmark occasion. A poignant green number that represents the "evergreen" presence the club has on the South African football scene, it's quite the daring offering, influenced by the "Solar Green" originally donned in 1994.
Orlando Pirates began back in 1937 and since then has gone on to become a brand known the world over. Adding to a collection of home and away kits for the 16/17 season, this third instalment is a celebration that has been embraced by both club and brand. The striking green brings some serious party and, with its tartan detailing, it lives in a space somewhere between a top end table cloth and performance jersey.
In explaining the significance of the 80th year celebrations, adidas South Africa Head of Football Adrian De Souza explained from the brands perspective, “Orlando Pirates are an institution and we are extremely proud and honoured to have enjoyed a long-term partnership with them. We worked with the club to develop a jersey that we thought would represent its longevity and be appealing to its legion of followers.”
Going further, the cultural significance of the shirt is something that goes way beyond the on-pitch proceedings. Adding an input from the perspective of the club, Orlando Pirates Brand Activation Manager, Tokoloho Moeketsi commented, “Orlando Pirates is not just a club steeped in great football history, but one that is entwined with the moral fabric of events that shaped the history of this great country. On the eve of yet another landmark in the Club’s journey, we felt it was important to pay homage to those moments in our past to allow us to move forward as a brand. The green of 1994 signalled a rebirth of a country hurting from an oppressive legacy, and we hope with the 2017 green, we’ll bring supporters together as they push the team to scale those heights of league victory”.
That's Christmas sorted.
