PUMA releases new kits for five African footballing greats
By Staff Writer 20 November 2024 | Categories: newsWith the full roster of the 24 nations set to compete in the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations now confirmed, it might be time to look at expanding your football jersey collection if you have a stake in the games. PUMA has launched the men’s and women’s national team Home and Away kits of five African footballing giants - Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal and Ghana.
The designs for each have been constructed with identity and culture at the forefront, with intricate designs representing each country’s art, history and pride. Which one is the standout this year? If we had to pick, it has to be Senegal’s away kit with the Lion spanning the whole jersey.
Commenting on each jersey, PUMA notes the following:
Egypt has been crowned champions of Africa on seven occasions, so it’s only fitting their new kits acknowledge the Kings and Queens of the country, with the bold red Home jersey featuring a stylised illustration of Pharaohs, pyramids and sand dunes, while the white Away jersey features an attention-grabbing Pharaoh design set among the pyramids.
The new Côte d'Ivoire kits are inspired by the annual festival ‘La Fête des Masques’ at the heart of Ivorian folklore. The iconic orange Home jersey is intricately detailed with the fringe effect typically applied to traditional costumes and reminiscent of festival goers. The Away jersey design symbolizes the dances performed at the festival and features a white base with green detailing to allow the elephant to take centre stage.
Abderrahmane Trabsini, born and raised in Amsterdam, was inspired by the beauty of Moroccan and Berber craftsmanship in creating the Moroccan kits. Encapsulating the essence of Moroccan artistry, the Home kit features patterns inspired by traditional Moroccan zellige tiles, with intricate geometric designs symbolizing unity, eternity, and artisanship.
Trabsini also incorporated Berber symbols often seen in Moroccan rugs into the Away kit, with motifs representing protection, fertility, and harmony. The vibrant red and green palette reflects the national flag, while the inclusion of the indigenous language honours Morocco’s rich history.
The Senegal Home jersey encompasses the theme of ‘Teranga’ – the spirit of hospitality. The kit’s design draws inspiration from the nation’s workers, reflecting a fearless and progressive identity expressed through modern art and culture. The Away kit takes a bolder approach, with a green and lime palette that incorporates a lion print across the chest.
Ghanaian native, Jefferson Osei set out to unite Ghanaian tribes through his custom print for the new Home kit. He worked with Ghanaian painter Daniel Alum Jasper, who painted the graphic element of selected Adinkra symbols by Osei resonating with all the different tribes within Ghana. The white jersey appears to feature a simple star print; but as players begin to perspire, the symbols become more pronounced. The yellow Away kit pays homage to Ghana’s ‘Gold Coast’ and has the adinkra symbols on the sleeves of the jersey.
These kits will be available to purchase from 25 January 2025 for a retail price of R1 599.
Most Read Articles
Have Your Say
What new tech or developments are you most anticipating this year?