The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in partnership with global sports brand PUMA, has unveiled 'ITRI', the official match ball for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, Nigeriasoccernet.com writes.
Inspired by Morocco’s centuries-old zellij art form, known for its intricate geometric mosaics, the ball symbolizes the unity, creativity, and passion of African football. Its name also pays homage to the star on the Moroccan flag, reflecting the celestial motifs common in traditional zellij craftsmanship.
The ITRI ball features a vibrant red and green colour palette that represents passion, hope, and Moroccan identity. Its design incorporates symbolic elements: star geometry for ambition and excellence, petal patterns for growth and celebration, and circular symmetry for the unity of Africa’s 24 competing nations.
Additional “Flow of Movement” motifs capture the rhythm and flair of African football. According to CAF Creative Development Manager Mohamed Ghonemi, the ball “brings together art, motion, and African spirit through Moroccan craftsmanship.”
Developed through a collaboration between CAF’s creative team and PUMA’s global design unit, ITRI blends tradition with cutting-edge performance.
Built on PUMA’s Orbita 6 technology, it combines cultural authenticity with top-tier engineering to meet elite match standards. The ball was introduced in a special reveal video and will make its first appearance in the opening match of AFCON Morocco 2025, marking a key milestone in the build-up to Africa’s biggest football event.
By Oluwadamilola Olaleye