Nissan South Africa and the country’s leading soccer club Kaizer Chiefs have signed a three-year sponsorship deal in terms of which the club, players and officials will be supplied with Nissan vehicles.

The fleet to be supplied to Kaizer Chiefs by Nissan will include Nissan Primeras, Almeras, Sentras, and one ton Nissan Hardbody pick-ups. All vehicles will be used for one year and then replaced on a rotation basis.

And in terms of the deal, Amakhosi supporters have not been forgotten. On match days one supporter will have the chance of winning a Nissan B140 half tonner – affectionately known as a "Botsotso" in a lucky draw.

"Nissan has long been a supporter of sport in South Africa, but has been absent from the direct sponsorship arena for some time. However, this agreement with the giant of South African soccer fits in very well with our marketing focus at present and we are very proud to be associated with Kaizer Chiefs," said Mike Whitfiueld, Nissan SA’s marketing executive vice-president.

"We believe that Nissan will play a major role in the development of our country as it moves forward and what better way for us to achieve this than to be associated with the country’s national sport and its most famous soccer club," said Whitfield.

Reacting to the sponsorship announcement, Kaizer Chiefs legendry managing director and chairman Kaizer Motaung said: "We are delighted with this support from Nissan, a global company which is also supportive of all the peoples of this country with its range of vehicles for all transport needs."

Chiefs public relations officer Putco Mafani commented: "Chiefs are currently on a winning streak, and following the agreement with Nissan, we win again.

"We chose Nissan not only because of its powerful brand, but because the company is committed to bringing affordable motoring to the people of this country – many of whom are Chiefs supporters."

"Furthermore, the lucky draw aspect of the sponsorship will give one lucky winner the chance of getting mobile and empowered with a vehicle which is ideal for starting a small business.

"The Nissan B140 or Botsotso is also nicknamed after of the Amakhosi soccer greats Teenage "Botsotso" Dladla," said Mafani.

Nissan has been one of the major players in the South African vehicle market through six decades and has played a leading role in developing the local motor industry.

Its products are recognised throughout the length and breadth of the African continent for their practicality, reliability, affordability and ruggedness.

Locally the company’s market share is steadily on the increase as a host of new Nissan vehicles are launched – the latest of which is the practical Almera Sedan.

Nissan is leading exporter of one tonner pick ups to Africa where the company’s products are held up as the benchmark of an ideal, made-for-Africa vehicle and Nissan has nearly a 50 percent share of all vehicles exported from South Africa to other parts of the continent.