This week, PUMA revealed ‘ITRI’ to the world, the official match ball for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Here, we get the inside story on the design of the ball from Mohamed Ghonemi, Creative Development Manager at CAF.
As the red-and-green flags of Morocco begin to flutter in stadiums across the continent, the official match ball for the Africa Cup of Nations has arrived — and it’s telling a story. Named ITRI, the latest creation from PUMA fuses the rich heritage of Moroccan decorative art with the dynamic heartbeat of African football. Inspired by the intricate star geometry and mosaic rhythm of zellij craft, the ball is not just engineered for performance — it’s engineered for pride, unity and motion.
We sat down with Mohamed Ghonemi to unpack the design process: how cultural research, geometric precision and performance technology converged to produce a ball that stands as both a symbol and a tool of the game. From the initial naming of “ITRI” to the decision-making behind colour choices, pattern flows and panel construction, this conversation dives into the creative engine driving the visual identity of AFCON 2025.
This is the story behind the ball that will roll across Africa’s greatest stage, told by the man who helped bring it to life.
The name ‘ITRI’ carries a lot of meaning. Can you talk us through the decision behind it and what you wanted it to represent for AFCON 2025?
The name ITRI was chosen by the LOC, and it beautifully complements the creative direction of the ball. Drawing inspiration from Morocco’s centuries-old zellij art, renowned for its intricate geometric mosaics, ITRI symbolises both the unity and passion of African football across the continent.
The name also pays tribute to the star featured on the Moroccan flag, echoing the star geometry found in traditional zellij craftsmanship. This connection between name and design creates a visual and symbolic harmony — one that reflects Morocco’s identity and the creative spirit of AFCON Morocco 2025.
Zellij art is such a distinctive part of Moroccan heritage. How did you approach translating something so intricate and traditional into the design of a modern football?
Our approach was to treat zellij not simply as decoration, but as a structural rhythm within the design. Its geometric precision and symmetry naturally lent themselves to the ball’s surface. We reinterpreted the patterns digitally — refining their detail while preserving the soul of Moroccan craftsmanship.
The result feels both traditional and contemporary — deeply rooted in culture, yet made for motion and the modern energy of AFCON Morocco 2025.
The ball features star geometry, petal shapes, and circular symmetry — each with its own symbolism. Which of these elements do you feel most strongly captures the spirit of AFCON?
The star geometry stands out as the defining element. It represents excellence, light, and ambition — values that perfectly embody the AFCON spirit. The petal outlines evoke festivity and celebration, while the circular symmetry expresses unity among the 24 nations.
Together, these motifs form a coherent design language, ensuring that every visual — from branding to the match ball — speaks with one creative voice.
You’ve described the ball as being “created for the rhythm of African football.” How did that idea influence the patterns and flow of the design?
African football is expressive, full of rhythm, emotion, and energy — and that spirit shaped every design decision. The flow of the geometric patterns was crafted to move organically across the panels, reflecting the heartbeat and tempo of the game.
The same living rhythm concept that defines the AFCON 2025 visual identity guided the ball’s layout, ensuring it feels alive, fluid, and emotionally connected to the tournament’s DNA.
Colour plays a huge role in identity. Why was the red and green palette chosen, and how does it balance Moroccan pride with a sense of continental unity?
The red and green palette pays homage to Morocco while staying true to the AFCON 2025 brand identity. Red embodies energy and passion, while green conveys hope and unity. Together, they strike a balance between local heritage and continental representation.
Subtle metallic tones elevate the design further, adding a sense of prestige and celebration worthy of Africa’s most iconic football event.
From a creative standpoint, what was the most challenging part of the design process — was it cultural research, aesthetic interpretation, or performance integration?
The greatest challenge was translating intricate cultural motifs onto a spherical surface without losing their harmony and precision. Zellij patterns are made for flat architecture, so adapting them to a three-dimensional form required multiple iterations.
It was about finding the right balance between authenticity and clarity, ensuring the design remained recognizably Moroccan while fitting seamlessly within the AFCON 2025 visual system.
The collaboration with PUMA brought together artistry and technology. How did you ensure that the cultural narrative wasn’t lost in the pursuit of performance?
Maintaining a dialogue between design and innovation was key. The zellij-inspired visuals were digitally optimized to fit the Orbita 6-panel construction, allowing every motif to flow naturally across the ball.
Texture, print, and material calibration were all fine-tuned to preserve the design’s richness while meeting the highest performance standards. This fusion of art and engineering ensured the story stayed intact from concept to final product.
AFCON is more than a tournament; it’s a celebration of African football. How do you hope players and fans will connect with ITRI when they see it on the pitch?
We wanted ITRI to feel like a natural extension of the AFCON Morocco 2025 identity — familiar, yet emotionally resonant. When players and fans see it, it should instantly evoke the spirit of the tournament: unity, pride, and celebration.
It’s more than just a ball; it’s a visual ambassador that carries the same energy and design language that defines the entire competition.
Looking back at the journey from concept to final product, what moment stands out as the point where you knew you had something truly special?
That moment came when the final visual composition — the zellij geometry, the star motif, and the red-green palette — came together perfectly across the ball’s surface. Seeing the lines flow naturally from one panel to the next created a sense of balance and movement that felt alive.
That was when it became clear that ITRI had achieved its purpose: a seamless fusion of heritage, geometry, and rhythm with a distinct personality of its own.
Finally, if you could describe ITRI in one word beyond its name, what would it be — and why?
Harmony. Because every element — from the zellij-inspired patterns to the colors and flow — was designed to exist in visual harmony with the AFCON Morocco 2025 identity. It brings together art, movement, and meaning in a single, balanced expression that unites tradition and modernity.
PUMA’s official ITRI match ball is available to purchase in regionally relevant markets.
AFCON 2025 gets underway on 21 December.
