By Kunle Solaja.

With just weeks to go before the kick-off of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has announced that electronic visas (e-visas) for fans will be issued free of charge through the official YALLA app — a move designed to ease travel procedures and enhance access to stadiums across the country.

The initiative, launched in coordination with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Moroccan authorities, is aimed at encouraging greater fan participation from across the continent and beyond.

Organizers say the measure reflects Morocco’s commitment to hospitality, inclusivity, and efficient organization, hallmarks of its previous experience hosting international sporting events.

According to the LOC, the YALLA platform will serve as a one-stop portal for both Fan ID and e-visa applications, allowing supporters to complete both requirements simultaneously — a move expected to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and streamline travel preparations.

“This centralized system ensures a seamless experience for fans from the moment they begin planning their trip,” the committee stated, emphasizing that the process includes real-time monitoring and coordinated validation among the various government agencies involved.

Access to all AFCON 2025 match venues will require a mandatory Fan ID, which will serve as each supporter’s digital identification document for entry into stadiums and fan zones.

Fans can apply directly via the official website, www.yallamorocco.ma. A 24-hour multilingual help center has also been established to provide support in Arabic, French, and English, reachable via phone at +212 5 30 30 20 30 or by email at info@yallamorocco.ma.

By waiving e-visa fees, Morocco hopes to make travel more affordable and to foster a truly pan-African atmosphere during the tournament.

“The continent is invited, the doors are open, and the festive spirit can begin,” the LOC declared.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will bring together 24 of the continent’s top footballing nations, is scheduled to kick off on December 21, 2025, marking another milestone in Morocco’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s premier sporting destinations.

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF), in partnership with global sports brand PUMA, has officially unveiled the ITRI, the Official Match Ball for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025).

The official ball draws inspiration from Morocco’s centuries-old zellij geometric patterns, the ITRI pays homage to the host nation’s cultural heritage while symbolising the unity and rhythm of African football.

The ball will make its debut on 21 December 2025, when the continent’s premier football competition kicks off in Morocco.

Named “ITRI”, meaning “star” in Amazigh, the ball’s design reflects the star featured on the Moroccan flag and the geometric star motifs central to traditional zellij craftsmanship. Its intricate patterns and colour palette — featuring Morocco’s signature red and green — convey passion, pride, and unity.

Each design element carries symbolic meaning as the star geometry represents ambition and the pursuit of excellence while the petal outlines evoke celebration and growth.

The circular symmetry expresses the unity of the 24 nations competing for Africa’s crown.

CAF’s Creative Development Manager, Mohamed Ghonemi, described the ball as a marriage of culture and performance.

“Created for the rhythm of African football, the AFCON 2025 ball brings together art, motion, and a design shaped by African spirit and Moroccan craftsmanship,” he said. “It’s been a privilege to collaborate with PUMA on something that unites every nation at the tournament through a shared sense of connection.”

Behind the beauty of ITRI lies PUMA’s Orbita 6 technology, engineered to deliver elite-level precision, flight stability, and durability.

The ball’s design journey began shortly after Morocco was confirmed as host nation and involved months of cultural research, creative exploration, and performance testing.

Peter Dangl, PUMA’s Director for EEMEA Distribution, said the company is proud to celebrate African football through the ITRI project.

“Combining Moroccan artistry with advanced performance technology, ITRI celebrates both the host nation’s heritage and the unity of the continent,” Dangl said on Cafonline. “Our collaboration with CAF reflects PUMA’s lasting commitment to African football and the communities that bring it to life.”

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Morocco’s preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have suffered a setback as Nayef Aguerd, key defender for both Olympique de Marseille (OM) and the Atlas Lions, faces a worsening groin injury that has ruled him out of the national team’s upcoming training camp.

Aguerd, who has been battling pubalgia for several weeks, aggravated the problem during Marseille’s 3–0 Ligue 1 victory over Brest on November 8. Although he started the match, the 28-year-old was forced off late in the game after feeling renewed discomfort.

OM head coach Roberto De Zerbi confirmed after the match that the injury had been troubling the defender for some time and now requires rest and further medical evaluation.

“Aguerd’s the bad news today,” De Zerbi admitted. “He’s been struggling with this pubalgia issue for a while, and it seems to be getting worse. He’ll have some tests, but he definitely needs a bit of time out.”

Local media in France report that Aguerd had already been rested during Marseille’s previous fixture, an early sign that the club was trying to manage his condition. His absence from Morocco’s upcoming camp—featuring friendlies against Mozambique and Uganda—has now been confirmed, dealing a blow to Walid Regragui’s plans ahead of the continental showpiece.

A Double Blow for Club and Country

For Morocco, Aguerd’s absence comes at a delicate time. The West Ham United alumnus, known for his aerial strength and calm distribution from the back, has been a mainstay in Regragui’s defensive structure since the 2022 World Cup. His leadership and consistency will be difficult to replace as Morocco fine-tunes tactics for AFCON 2025 on home soil.

At club level, the news also complicates matters for De Zerbi, who is still shaping his Marseille side to compete effectively in Ligue 1 and the Europa League. Losing one of his most reliable defenders could disrupt the defensive balance just as OM seemed to be finding rhythm.

Recovery Plan Underway

According to L’Équipe and Foot Mercato, Aguerd will undergo additional scans to determine the severity of the injury and outline a treatment plan.

The French club and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) are reportedly coordinating efforts to ensure the player’s recovery is handled carefully to avoid aggravating the condition.

For now, both sides are prioritizing caution, knowing that rushing his return could jeopardize Aguerd’s participation in the AFCON — a tournament Morocco is not only hosting but also widely tipped to contend for.

If the defender’s rehabilitation progresses as planned, he could still recover in time for the tournament’s final preparation phase. But for now, Morocco’s hopes rest uneasily on the outcome of his medical tests — and on Regragui’s ability to adapt his back line without one of his most trusted pillars.

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