By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) and global sports brand Puma have unveiled “ITRI” as the official match ball for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Morocco.
The ball, whose name is inspired by the star on the Moroccan flag and patterns in traditional zellij art, blends Moroccan craftsmanship with advanced performance technology.
“Created for the rhythm of African football, the AFCON 2025 ball brings together art, motion, and a design shaped by African spirit and Moroccan craftsmanship,” said Mohamed Ghonemi, Creative Development Manager at CAF. “It’s been a privilege to collaborate with Puma on something that unites every nation at the tournament.”
Peter Dangl, Director EEMEA Distribution at Puma, noted that ITRI “is a true symbol of African football’s spirit. Combining Moroccan artistry with advanced performance technology, ITRI celebrates both the host nation’s heritage and the unity of the continent.”
The striking aesthetic of the ITRI ball features traditional Moroccan zellij geometric patterns, specifically characterized by central star geometry, floral petal outlines, and circular symmetry.
These elements are highly symbolic: the star geometry represents ambition and the pursuit of excellence; the petal shapes signify celebration, growth, and the festive spirit of the AFCON; and the circular symmetry reflects the unity of the 24 nations competing in the tournament.
Furthermore, the design incorporates ‘Flow of Movement’ patterns to capture the dynamic playing style distinctive of African football. The color palette of red and green was chosen to express passion, hope, and pride while simultaneously paying homage to Morocco’s national colors.
The ball is built on Puma’s advanced Orbita 6 technology, seamlessly blending cultural heritage with innovation to deliver the performance standards required for elite-level competition.
The ITRI ball will make its debut in the opening match of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 tournament, which kicks off on Dec. 21, 2025, bringing together the continent’s best footballing nations.
The design process began shortly after Morocco was confirmed as the host nation, progressing through stages of cultural research, creative explorations, performance testing, and refinement, ensuring it authentically reflects Moroccan artistry while resonating across the continent.
The official ITRI match ball is available for purchase in regionally relevant markets for a recommended retail price of €130.00.
