Ola match balls will be used for the first time in CAF competitions as the Confederations Cup and Champions League finals take centre stage in Egypt and Tunisia respectively.
The balls which CAF made in collaboration with PUMA is designed with several colours patched into different shapes on a white canvas of leather-sphere.
According to CAF’s official website, the name of the match balls for the finals are referenced in Yoruba and Arabic languages.
“OLA,” which means “wealth,” “honour,” and “respect” in Yoruba, and “rise” and “success” in Arabic, was chosen to symbolize the dynamic and energetic nature of African football,” CAF stated in an official press release.
The Yoruba language, predominantly spoken in Nigeria by the Yoruba tribe, dates back to the 4th century B.C and has over 45 million speakers scattered across Nigeria, Benin, Togo and parts of Gambia and Ivory Coast.
Fans in Tunis will witness the Ola in action during the Champions League Final first leg between Espérance Sportive de Tunis and Al Ahly.
Similarly, the Cairo International Stadium will see the Ola take centre stage during the second leg of the Confederation Cup Final between Zamalek and RS Berkane.
