CAF and Puma Unveil the ITRI Ball
On November 10th in Cairo, CAF and the German brand Puma unveiled the official ball for the CAF TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, named ITRI, an Amazigh word meaning “star,” a term already sparking conversations from Casablanca to Pointe-Noire.
The unveiling, held at CAF headquarters and live-streamed to member associations, gave fans a glimpse of a sphere that blends Moroccan craftsmanship with advanced aerodynamics, a combination embodying both the heritage and future of African football.
The launch was described as “a statement of ambition,” emphasizing that the ball’s story goes beyond aesthetics to touch on the values of unity and excellence the continental confederation hopes to highlight during the tournament starting December 21, 2025.
Moroccan Zellige Design Inspires Fans
Morocco’s famous zellige mosaics form the aesthetic backbone of ITRI’s pattern, with interlocking polygons reproduced in crimson and emerald, colors drawn from the host nation’s flag; designers spent six months studying patterns in Fez workshops before translating this art onto synthetic panels.
The choice sends “a powerful signal across the Mediterranean,” positioning football as a platform for Amazigh identity while remaining inclusive for the broader African audience.
The symbolism was reiterated, stating the star “will travel from the Atlas Mountains to every township pitch,” adding that the brief demanded graphics capable of standing out on television while resonating on street murals.
Orbita 6 Technology Promises Precision
Beneath the decorative shell lies Puma’s Orbita 6 architecture, a twelve-panel thermally bonded configuration to reduce seam weight, an innovation previously tested in Bundesliga matches and now adapted to the more varied climatic conditions expected between Tangier’s Atlantic breezes and Brazzaville’s equatorial humidity.
Independent wind tunnel tests recorded an in-flight deviation margin of less than two percent at 100 kilometers per hour, metrics likely to satisfy free-kick specialists.
Referees will begin familiarization sessions at elite seminars early next year, adding that goal-line technology calibration has already been synchronized with the new ball.
Commercial Rollout Across Africa
Retailers across Africa expect deliveries starting mid-2025, with a recommended price of 130 euros for the match version; a replica line under 30 euros targets school championships to broaden access.
Ball sales could inject at least five million dollars into regional value chains, including logistics, advertising, and matchday merchandise sales.
Puma plans pop-up experiences in Douala, Abidjan, Lagos, and Brazzaville, where fans will be invited to test their shooting accuracy in augmented reality cages, capitalizing on the growing influence of social media challenges to boost visibility before the December 2025 kickoff.
Broadcast partners are already using digital renders of ITRI in promotional trailers, ensuring the object becomes a visual landmark for the tournament well before ticket sales begin.
Congo-Brazzaville Prepares for AFCON Excitement
In Congo-Brazzaville, the unveiling revived memories of the historic triumph of the Diables Rouges in 1972; the Congolese Football Federation hopes the new ball’s performance features can help national clubs prepare for CAF inter-club qualifications scheduled for next August.
Youth academies have requested replica balls in advance to include them in holiday camps, arguing that training with official specifications conditions players to the pace of major tournaments, an approach emphasizing “muscle memory.”
For supporters, ITRI represents more than equipment; it’s an invitation to dream of continental glory. With Congo’s economic outlook stabilizing, travel agencies report increased inquiries about group packages to Moroccan host cities, suggesting the star may well guide fans across borders.