Confederation of African Football (CAF) has in partnership with sports brand Puma unveiled the official match ball for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set for Morocco 2025, CAF announced on Monday November 10.

In a statement, CAF said the ball named ITRI, draws inspiration from Morocco’s centuries-old zellij art form – renowned for its intricate geometric mosaics – whilst symbolising the unity and passion of African football on the continent.

The official match ball will make its debut at the TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025, which kicks off on December 21, 2025.

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, characterised by central star geometry, floral petal outlines and circular symmetry.

Each design element carries cultural significance – namely star geometry that symbolises 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 and circular symmetry reflects the unity of the 24 nations coming together for the tournament.

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 colour palette expresses passion, hope and pride while also paying homage to Morocco’s national identity.

Creative Development Manager at CAF Mohamed Ghonemi said the ball is 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.

“It’s been a privilege to collaborate with Puma something that unites every nation at the tournament through a shared sense of connection,” Ghonemi said.

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 collaboration brought together CAF’s creative development team and PUMA’s global design unit to ensure the ball authentically reflects Moroccan artistry whilst resonating across the continent.

Built on PUMA’s advanced Orbita 6 technology, the ball seamlessly blends heritage with innovation, delivering the performance standards required for elite-level competition while celebrating African culture.

Director EEMEA Distribution at Puma Peter Dangl said they are proud to unveil the ITRI ball – the official match ball of AFCON 2025 and a true symbol of African football spirit.

“Combining Moroccan artistry with advanced performance technology, ITRI celebrates both the host nation’s heritage and the unity of the continent. Our collaboration with CAF reflects Puma’s lasting commitment to African football and the communities that bring it to life,” Dangl said.

The TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 tournament kicks off on December 21, 2025 in Morocco, bringing together the continent’s best footballing nations for the most prestigious competition.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Anita Omwenga