Puma South Africa is honouring football legend Doctor Khumalo on his 58th birthday with the re-release of his signature football boot which starred in winning League, Cup and Afcon titles.
“Puma has a near 40-year relationship with Doc dating to the 1980s, and we have brought the boot back to celebrate his illustrious legacy,” said Brett Bellinger, Puma SA Marketing Director. “On the pitch Doc was a fearless artist who knew instinctively his greatness began with the courage to be true to himself. So, while many great footballers are respected for their talent, Doc is one of those select few who is loved.”
The Puma Doctor Khumalo 16V signature football boot is the one Doc wore during his stellar career and takes its place beside the ever-popular Jomo Sono King, as Puma pays tribute to another of their most celebrated football ambassadors. The 16V refers to Doc’s nickname. In 1987, around the time he made his club debut, the iconic Golf GTI 16V was introduced in the local market, and fans compared Doc’s playing style to the high-performance car.
The footballing gods aligned to ensure that Doc scored the penalty to beat Cameroon 1-0 in the first game after FIFA readmitted South Africa to the football world in 1992, the same year he was named South African Footballer of the Year. He would go on to earn 50 Bafana Bafana caps, including winning the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 and playing in World Cup 1998 in France.
A stand-out performance on the global stage was when Doc bossed the midfield against the reigning World Cup holders Brazil in the 1996 Mandela Cup. He assisted the first goal and then scored with a volley from the edge of the penalty area. Another sublime piece of skill left one of the vaunted Brazilians on his backside; Doc’s classy footwork outshining even the Samba Boys as he instigated a new wave of attack.
“That magical moment against Brazil captures his brilliance,” said Bellinger. “An entertainer loved by fans, Doc’s talent was always in the service of the team. As a midfield playmaker his pace, power and skill inspired his teammates to perform at their best and reach ever greater heights. That is why Doc is the essence of all that we love about The Beautiful Game.”
Doctor Khumalo added: “These boots hold special memories for me, so I am honoured that Puma has chosen to re-release them to the market. I hope they resonate with fans and inspire them to go out and create their own magic on the pitch.”