CAF and PUMA Unveil “ITRI” — Official Match Ball for AFCON Morocco 2025

CAF and PUMA Unveil “ITRI” — Official Match Ball for AFCON Morocco 2025

By Admin 

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in collaboration with global sports brand PUMA, has unveiled the ITRI, the Official Match Ball for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025), BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Drawing deep inspiration from Morocco’s centuries-old zellij geometric artistry, the ITRI which means “star” in Amazigh, celebrates the host nation’s cultural heritage while symbolising the unity, rhythm, and brilliance of African football.

The new match ball will make its debut when AFCON 2025 kicks off on December 21, 2025, marking the start of Africa’s most prestigious football tournament.

A Design Inspired by Heritage and Unity

The ITRI’s design reflects the five-pointed star featured on Morocco’s national flag, blended with traditional zellij motifs that represent ambition, creativity, and collective energy. Its vibrant red and green palette mirrors Morocco’s national colours evoking passion, pride, and togetherness.

Each design element carries symbolic meaning:

The star geometry signifies ambition and the pursuit of excellence.

The petal outlines suggest celebration and growth.

The circular symmetry expresses unity among the 24 nations competing for Africa’s crown.

Where Culture Meets Performance

CAF’s Creative Development Manager, Mohamed Ghonemi, described the ITRI as a perfect fusion of artistry and technology.

 “Created for the rhythm of African football, the AFCON 2025 ball brings together art, motion, and design shaped by African spirit and Moroccan craftsmanship,” Ghonemi said. “It’s been a privilege to collaborate with PUMA on something that unites every nation at the tournament through a shared sense of connection.

Behind its striking aesthetic lies PUMA’s Orbita 6 technology, engineered for elite-level precision, flight stability, and durability ensuring top performance throughout the tournament.

According to Peter Dangl, PUMA’s Director for EEMEA Distribution, the ITRI project embodies the brand’s ongoing commitment to African football. “Combining Moroccan artistry with advanced performance technology, ITRI celebrates both the host nation’s heritage and the unity of the continent,” Dangl told CAF Online. “Our collaboration with CAF reflects PUMA’s lasting dedication to African football and the communities that bring it to life.”

The ITRI’s development began shortly after Morocco was confirmed as the tournament host and involved months of cultural research, creative design, and technical testing — culminating in a ball that merges cultural symbolism with world-class engineering.