PUMA unveils new national team kits for 5 African giants

PUMA has launched the men’s and women’s national team Home and Away kits of five African footballing giants – the designs for Egypt, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal and Ghana have been constructed with identity and culture at the forefront, with intricate designs representing each country’s art, history and pride.

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 Ivory Coast 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 symbolising 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 Jefferson 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.

Available to purchase from 25 January 2025.