Financial services company, Mukuru has announced its sponsorship of English Premier League side Crystal Palace, Malawi’s top club Mighty Wanderers alongside South Africa’s rugby star Tendai Mtawarira.

A statement from the company says Mukuru will be Palace’s shirt sponsor for the 2022 to 2023 season.

The company has also signed a naming rights deal with Wanderers and a separate sponsorship arrangement with Mtawarira.

Mukuru Chief Executive Officer Andy Jury says they felt obliged to partner with Palace and Wanderers because football commands a big following in Africa and the two entities have a strong presence on the continent.

“The Premier League is home to a wide range of very talented African players who have left their home country to pursue their dreams elsewhere. This inspires the Mukuru customer to continue to pursue their dreams and fills them with the belief that their journey from their home country in pursuit of a better life can result in something beautiful,” he said.

“We are excited to have struck a deal, in consultation with the Football Association of Malawi, with one of Malawi’s top Super League teams, the Mighty Wanderers, and with the naming rights, they will be called the Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.”

Palace’s squad boasts Ivorian forward Wilfred Zaha, Ghanaians Jordan Ayew, Jeff Schlupp and Cheikhou Kouyate from Senegal.

Wanderers are Malawi second biggest club in terms of following and they are TNM Super League six-time winners, third behind Silver Strikers (eight) and Nyasa Big Bullets (15).

Mukuru has more than 10 million customers in Africa and completed over 100-million transactions since its inception in 2004.