The Confederation of African Football (CAF),in partnership with leading global sports brand PUMA,unveiled this Monday the official match ball for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025.
The ball,named ITRI,draws inspiration from Morocco’s centuries-old zellij art form – renowned for its intricate geometric mosaics – whilst symbolizing the unity and passion of African football across the continent,CAF said in a statement,adding that the name also pays tribute to the star featured on the Moroccan flag and reflects the star patterns that hold significance in traditional zellij craftsmanship.
The ball’s striking design incorporates traditional Moroccan zellij geometric patterns,characterized by central star geometry,floral petal outlines and circular symmetry. Each design element carries cultural significance: Star geometry symbolizes ambition,light,and the pursuit of excellence on Africa’s biggest footballing stage.
Petal shapes represent celebration,growth and the festive spirit that defines the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON. Circular symmetry reflects the unity of the 24 nations coming together for the tournament,CAF explained.
The unique design also features ‘Flow of Movement’ patterns that capture the distinctive rhythm and dynamic playing style of African football. The ball’s red and green color palette expresses passion,hope and pride while also paying homage to Morocco’s national identity.
The design process began shortly after Morocco was confirmed as host nation and progressed through several stages of cultural research,creative explorations,performance testing and refinement. The ball seamlessly blends heritage with innovation,delivering the performance standards required for elite-level competition while celebrating African culture.
The ITRI ball will make its debut in the opening match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,scheduled for December 21. The tournament will bring together the continent’s best footballing nations for African football’s most prestigious competition.
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