The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in partnership with leading global sports brand PUMA, unveiled on Monday the Official Match Ball for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be held in Morocco in 2025.
Named ITRI, the ball 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 across the continent, CAF said on its official website.
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 same source added, noting that the ball will make its first appearance during the competition’s opening match on December 21, 2025.
The ball’s striking design incorporates traditional Moroccan zellij geometric patterns, characterized by central star geometry, floral petal outlines and circular symmetry, CAF explained, noting that each design element carries cultural significance.
Among other things, the star symbolizes ambition, light, and the pursuit of excellence on Africa’s biggest footballing stage, while the petals represent celebration, growth, and the festive spirit that defines the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON. The 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.