Umbro have announced a new ball partnership with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and as part of the announcement they have unveiled the official match ball for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The deal sees Umbro taking over from Mitre, with the British-based brand further strengthening its links in African football following the announcement of kit partnerships with several nations recently. As for the ball, Umbro will use its FIFA approved Neo Pro for AFCON, complete with a design that takes influence from the colours of host nation Egypt’s national flag. The Neo Pro has everything you’d expect from a top-level ball, so that’s a textured Teijin Microfibre outer casing for durability, accuracy and true flight dependability, along with a five-layer construction with a latex bladder for a consistent bounce, and a hand-stitched 14-panel design with sealed seams to ensure zero water absorption. Sorted.
“We couldn’t be prouder and more honoured to have been selected by CAF as the official supplier of the match ball for the Total Africa Cup of Nations 2019," said Tom Grzelak, Head of Brand at Umbro Middle East and Egypt. "Football is the biggest sport in Africa and as an authentic sports brand deeply rooted in football, we believe this partnership is a perfect match. Moreover, the tournament being played in Egypt will further reinforce Umbro’s brand presence in the country."
You can expect to see the Egyptian King smashing this home with regularity come June and July then, with the Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the summer for the first time in the tournament's history.
