NIKE AND CRISTIANO RONALDO INTRODUCE SAFARI PRINT

CR Signature Boot Fuses Performance Engineering and Iconic Style

Global football star Cristiano Ronaldo with Nike launched the CR Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II boot. Inspired by Ronaldo’s lightning speed and effortless style off the pitch, the CR Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II combines high-performance innovation and heritage of the Nike Safari print.

Nike originally introduced the print on the Air Safari running shoe in 1987, and the unexpected aesthetic transformed performance footwear design. At the time, trailblazing Nike designer and father of the Air Jordan series Tinker Hatfield began exploring non-traditional materials, patterns and colors to use in athletic footwear and conceived the now legendary ostrich-skin print.

The limited-run Air Safari quickly sold out and gained an ardent following for its striking design. Now the iconic print is back — this time on the feet of one of the best players in the world. The updated print has a stylized look, wrapping the entire boot and laces for a bold effect. Ronaldo’s signature CR Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II represents the first time the print has been applied to performance football footwear.

“The Air Safari showed that you can create an athletic shoe that is beautiful and different without forgoing high-performance utility,” said Hatfield, VP of Creative Design at Nike. “It helped individuals make a personal style statement whether they wore it on a run or out at night.”

Built for speed

The game’s fastest player demands a boot that not only reflects his personal style but also delivers superb traction and responsiveness. The CR Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II features the unique NIKE SENSE adaptive traction system where designers created a pair of adaptive studs in the forefoot that can extend and retract by up to 3mm, based on ground conditions and pressure exerted by the player.

Directionally positioned blades maximize cutting and allow for quick changes of direction, while secondary toe traction provides added toe-off power for those first critical steps. The result is a boot that enables greater speed in all directions.

Nike Flywire, a lightweight composite that forms the upper, increases range of motion while locking the foot to the sole plate, ensuring maximum transfer of energy from the foot to the ground. The carbon composite chassis keeps the player close to the ground for improved stability and responsiveness.

“The CR Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II makes a statement on pitch and the Safari print expresses my style,” said Cristiano Ronaldo. “Combined with incredibly light and responsive performance the boot gives me everything I need to elevate my game.”

In another nod to speed, the boot’s arresting Safari print is overlaid with a tonal chevron pattern that is illuminated in certain light. Designed to appear as a flash in a player’s peripheral vision, the reflective graphic can improve player awareness on pitch.

The CR Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II also gives consumers exclusive access to training insights from top players and coaches through Nike Football+. Each pair of boots comes with a unique user code to unlock insider tips and Master Speed training content.

Cristiano Ronaldo will debut the CR Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II on pitch November 7 during “El Derbi” which features Madrid’s premier football teams.

The boot will be available at retail globally and online at http://www.nikestore.com/ beginning November 15. Nike Football+ can be accessed at http://www.nikesoccer.com/.

Ronaldo’s 4 goals for Real Madrid

Orlando Pirates are blowing hot and cold

When the current Absa Premiership season started I predicted that Orlando Pirates will be one of the hot contenders for the league title. I had no doubt about that, based on the quality of their team and many other factors.

They didn't start their season well, but there was a ray of hope that things will improve and in no time the Bucs will start beating the hell out of their opponents. Winning the MTN 8 was the beginning of many good days to come, so I thought.

They went on to break Mamelodi Sundowns's unbeaten run of four games with a breath-taking performance. I started to believe that indeed Pirates might just surprise a lot of people this season and go on to win the elusive league title, they looked like a team on a rampage, truly unstoppable.

Finally Pirates were going to become the happy people that they once were in the not so distant past. how wrong I was.

On Wednesday they were stopped on their tracks by Mpumalanga Black Aces, what an anti-climax. It seems as if the Bucs just can't get over their inconsistency, I expected them to beat the sense out of Aces but it was not to be.

This weekend they will be facing an on form Lamontville Golden Arrows in the Telkom knockout cup and it's hard to see them winning, I must quickly say that my opinion is not based on their disappointing performance against Aces.

It is based on the fact that Pirates are not consistent as well as their tendency to only perform at their best only when they play the big guns, it is possible though that they might prove me wrong.

Orlando Pirates is a big team with a brilliant squad of players, they have shown what they are capable of by winning the MTN 8 trophy, their victory over Sundowns was another example of what they can do on their day, but they need to realize that consistency is the order of the day if a team entertains any ambitions of winning the league title. Right now they just don't have it.

If you ask me now if I still believe that they might win the league, I would say ye....s, you know what that means right?

By Siphiwe Hlongwane

NIKE SOUTH AFRICA ANNOUNCES TOP FOUR FOOTBALLERS TO TRIAL UNDER ARSENE WENGER

Professional football coaches and specialists select four South African young guns for the chance of a lifetime to trial under Arsene Wenger in the UK following 10 months of football trials with over 5,000 aspiring footballers

Following an intense two-day football trial under renowned football coaches and specialists at the Football Training Centre in Soweto, Nike South Africa is proud to announce the top four players who have earned the chance of a lifetime to represent the country at The Chance global trials in London next year.

Joining 96 other footballers from 40 countries are: Jonathan King, right back from Durban; Nazan Klaasens, left wing-back from Cape Town; Reyaad Pieterse, goalkeeper from Johannesburg and Khayalethu Nzimande, defensive midfielder from Durban.

The Nike core team of Eric Tinkler, Shaun Bartlett, Teboho Moloi and Elsa Storm were joined by guest coaches and technical directors including Roger da Sa, Thabo Mngomeni, Muzi Malinga and Mzonzima Xheshisa, who had the challenging task in making the final selection, as the 30 shortlist of youngsters put in a tremendous amount of effort to be noticed and get scouted. The trial included fitness assessments, high level drills, phased and positional play, and small sided games.

“The Chance is an opportunity of a lifetime for these youngsters in helping them realize their dream of playing professional football under the expert guidance of Arsene Wenger. This is a fantastic initiative by Nike to unearth and help nurture young talent,” says Shaun Bartlett.

“What we have seen in the last 10 months alone is testimony that our country is filled with talent – and with this programme we’ve been able to unearth and nurture talented players.”

The four winners will travel to the United Kingdom early next year, where, under the watchful gaze of Arsenal FC coach Arsene Wenger, will vie for a spot in the final eight to be recruited into the Nike Academy – a high performance centre, in the UK – starting in July 2011 for a year.

“We are thrilled with the quality of the players that we are sending to The Chance global trials in the UK to represent the country and we are determined to lend all the support required to these young footballers that will enable them to succeed,” says Seruscka Naidoo, Communications Manager Nike South Africa.

“The Chance is an extension of Nike’s commitment and contribution to youth development in South Africa, and the participation of players in this initiative demonstrates how determined they are to succeed at the highest levels of the game.”

The Nike Academy offers non-contract players unattached to professional clubs a chance to enter the professional game through world-class coaching and games against elite academies and professional reserve teams. Since the academy’s start in 2009, eight players in the UK have received professional contracts.

As members of the Nike Academy, players become full-time participants at a residential training centre in England with access to elite coaches, nutritionists, psychologists and fitness conditioners, along with world class facilities to perform at the highest level.

Happy Friday... Religion teaches us to revenge... Good luck Bafana

Hello to you guys! Firstly, sorry to you as I've really had to work for my money in the past two days. There was no blog yesterday and the day before. Unfortunately, I am an employee as well, and since I do this blog for fun really, it does suffer if push comes to shove.

I hate that I have to be away from you guys and not talk about football. Football is a religion in its own right in my book, seriously think about it.

And no offence to any religion out there. But where there's a fast (spiritual fasting", football has it, and that's the break from the end of the season to the start. Not an easy period by any means, the fast breaks with that first kick of the new season. When others attend their different religious services, some on Friday, Saturday, and others Sunday, we have that in football. Football does do even better at times as there are midweek games to add to our already wonderful service offering, and our house of prayer are awesome and bigger, Look at the FNB Soccer City stadium.

It seems all religions share a similar problem, and that is attendances. People a not attending prayer services. Our service attendance are particularly poor here in South Africa. The recent mass congregation (World Cup) has not helped much. If there's rebirth elsewhere in religious circles, that is our footballing rebirth that should have rejuvenated our spirits and souls. Owners, coaches/managers, assistants, etc etc serve all that familiar role of Priest, Rabbis and so forth. Offerings I hear you ask? DUH, did you forget about gate reciepts/entrance fees? We actually offer even before the service starts! Some of our services offer great choir sessions, the singing lifting the spirits ever so gallantly.

I really hope we can somehow start to attract the masses back to our services, people need to repent here in SA, all sins shall be forgiven.

Anyway, we have Bafana Bafana going for a service in Sierra Leone this weekend. And NO! We should not give them the other cheek so they slap us, NOOOO! I've heard Pitso, our beloved Bafana coach say that we are not going to avenge our defeat by the same country in 2008. Sorry but this is where the rules change: Our religious decree states as follows:

"If anyone slaps on your cheek, turn around and smack him so hard he remembers this for his entire life, so as not to repeat this act"

Further on, in our holy book, it is stated as that:

"Revenge is sweet, and every opportunity to take revenge should be seized upon!"

Soothing words indeed. So Pitso needs to repent and go for confessions.

Sierra Leone are in a bit of disarray at the moment having snubbed their star players. The same players that helped the so well when the held their service recently in Egypt coming back with a credible draw. Another of our wonderful commandments:

"Wish unto others all that brings them misery and sadness"
And with those rejuvenating parting words, I wish upon Egypt a miserable time in Niger.

Cheers and see you soon for another sermon!

By UpTheBirds
http://upthebirds.blogspot.com/

Wafa Wafa: Who wants it most?

The excellent Moses Mabhida Stadium will host the Original Soweto derby on Saturday when Orlando Pirates take on Moroka Swallows in the MTN8 final.

Orlando Pirates are determined to be the last team standing when the final whistle blows to end what is expected to be an exciting final on Saturday between two teams with a rich history in South African football. The Bucs have not won any official trophy in 10 years, winning this one will bring back the happy faces in the Bucs supporters.

On the other hand, despite a poor start in their 2010/11 Absa Premiership campaign, the Dube birds are also hungry for some cup success and they will like nothing more than to beat Pirates and break the hearts of the pirates supporters. Swallows have made their intentions clear from the beginning of this competition by beating SuperSport United and Ajax CT in two closely fought contests.

Bucs coach Ruud Krol will have to make sure that his boys are over their win against Chiefs and focusing on the final. Pirates might shoot themselves in the foot by undermining the Dube Birds. What pirates must know is that Swallows are not going to Durban to lie down and play dead while Pirates runs all over them. Swallows are going to give the Bucs a fight and Pirates must be prepared.

Swallows are a sleeping giant and they are hoping to bring back the respect that they once commanded back in the good old days. Players like Siyabonga Nomvethe, rising star Keegan Ritchie, Gareth Ncaca and experienced goalkeeper Lucky Phillips will be carrying the hopes and dreams of the Dube Birds supporters. A win for them against Pirates will go a long way in returning their supporters back to the stadiums.

Orlando Pirates will be hoping that Andile Jali continues with his brilliant performances in midfield, together with his partner in crime, Isaac Chansa. Unlike Swallows, Pirates boosts a squad of quality and talented players — on Sunday, against Chiefs, it was the speedy Tlou Segolela, skilful Mark Mayambela and Katlego Mashigo who came on in the second half and added bite in the Bucs’ attack. The return of Mashego is an added bonus for Pirates and they will be hoping that he helps with their goal-scoring problems. If Pirates can focus and play their cards right, I don’t see why they can’t beat Moroka Swallows.

Wafa Wafa! Who will be the last team standing?

By Siphiwe Hlongwane