Funbi Ogunfuwa @Funbiball

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE AFCON 2025 MATCH BALL—ITRI ⚽ PUMA and CAF just dropped something beautiful! Meet ITRI—the official match ball for AFCON 2025 in Morocco 🇲🇦. On Monday, PUMA and the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) unveiled the official match ball for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, named ITRI. This ball represents a significant fusion of cultural heritage and African football excellence, drawing inspiration from Morocco's centuries-old zellij art form.  🔹️THE ARTISTRY OF ZELLIJ 🎨 Zellij finds its roots in the rich Islamic art traditions of the medieval period, which has become an iconic symbol of Moroccan culture and heritage. This traditional mosaic art form—which  uses hand-cut, hand-glazed tiles to weave together intricate geometric patterns—is rooted in Moroccan architecture covering the walls of ancient palaces and mosques. The ball's design incorporates these traditional Moroccan zellij geometric patterns: central star geometry, floral petal outlines, and circular symmetry with  each element carefully selected to reflect deeper meaning and cultural significance 🔹️CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF EACH DESIGN ELEMENT♠️ ▪️Star geometry symbolises ambition, light, and the pursuit of excellence on Africa’s biggest footballing stage ▪️Petal shapes represent celebration, growth and the festive spirit that defines AFCON ▪️Circular symmetry reflects the unity of the 24 nations coming together for the tournament 🔺️The ball’s red and green colour palette expresses passion, hope and pride while also paying homage to Morocco’s national identity. “It's been a privilege to collaborate with PUMA on something that unites every nation at the tournament through a shared sense of connection”—Mohamed Ghonemi, Creative Development Manager at CAF. “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”. According to Peter Dangl, Director EEMEA Distribution at PUMA:  “We’re proud to unveil the ITRI ball the official match ball of AFCON 2025 and a true symbol of African football’s spirit. Combining Moroccan artistry with advanced performance technology, ITRI celebrates both the host nation’s heritage and the unity of the continent. Our collaboration with CAF reflects PUMA’s lasting commitment to African football and the communities that bring it to life.” 🔹️PERFORMANCE AND TECHNOLOGY. Beyond its cultural significance, ITRI is built on PUMA's Orbita 6 technology, the same precision-engineered system used across elite match balls in Europe's top leagues. The ball is designed to deliver optimal swerve control, flight stability, and balance at the highest level of competition. The development of the ball started when Morocco was confirmed as host and passed  through months of research and testing, ensuring that ITRI meets the technical demands of elite African football while maintaining its cultural authenticity 🔹️AFCON2025 OVERVIEW 🇲🇦 Morocco will host the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time in its history since 1988, with The #AFCON2025 tournament set to begin on December 21, 2025 and end on January 18, 2026. As anticipation builds for the tournament, the ITRI match ball stands as a symbol of the intersection between art and technology, while also embracing the African traditions.  While it remains to be seen which nation will ultimately triumph at AFCON 2025, but one thing is clear: Just like the #Jabulani of 2010 World Cup, the ITRI ball will be at the center of every moment that defines the tournament. So here's what everyone wants to know: WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN AFCON 2025? 🏆 Drop your predictions, bold takes, and hot opinions in the comments below! 👇 Let's get started. #AfricaCupofNations #AfricanFootball #Morocco #AFCON2025 #ITRI #puma #CAF

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Evolution Cup 2025 was lit The energy, the goals the moments all leading to something bigger. Stay Tuned!! #TheEvolutionContinues

🦅🚨OFFICIAL: VICTOR OSIMHEN IS🇳🇬🔥: 🔹️ Nigeria’s all-time top scorer in European competitions—25 goals (ahead of Obafemi Martins on 23). 🔹️Nigeria’s highest scorer in the UEFA Champions League—15 goals (Martins with 10). 🔹️The second #Galatasaray player ever to score a hat-trick in the Champions League. 🔹️The first African player ever to score a hat-trick for Galatasaray in the UCL. 🔹️The second Nigerian player to score a hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League. 🔹️Currently the highest goal scorer of 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Golden Boot race with 6 goals. From Olusosun to Europe’s grandest stage, Victor Osimhen’s story proves that no matter where you come from, success is possible with belief and hard work 💪 At Ball Business, we help you with stories, lessons, and insights that help you build your football journey. Follow Ball Business; Stay Ahead. We educate. empower. connect.💫 #Osimhen #UCL #Galatasaray

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The Ball Business @Ballbusiness_

12 months ago

♻️ DO WHAT YOU CAN WITH WHAT YOU HAVE WHERE YOU ARE—THE STORY OF VICTOR OSIMHEN. “I knew that football was the only way to get my parents out of poverty, so I really invested my time and my life into this job. I am happy that it paid off. Getting my family out of poverty is my

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🚨IMPORTANT NEWS: FIFA and Global Citizen announce advisory board for the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund ⤵️ If you're a grassroots organisation providing access to education and sport for children in underserved communities, don’t miss this $250,000 grant opportunity!👇 The FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which is expanding access to quality education, literacy, and football for children worldwide, is open and accepting applications TODAY.  Launched earlier this year, the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund aims to raise USD 100 million to expand access to education and football of children worldwide. The announcement marks a major milestone in the initiative’s mission, with the newly established board providing strategic guidance to maximise the fund’s reach and impact. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “Football unites the world, and today we are harnessing that unity to make a lasting impact beyond the pitch.  Together with Global Citizen, we are proud to launch the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund Advisory Board and welcome an extraordinary group of leaders and founding contributions toward our goal of raising USD 100 million for children’s education and football worldwide. We are transforming the world’s game into a force for opportunity, hope, and learning for millions of children.” So, organisations providing access to education and sport for children in underserved communities around the world are now invited to apply for grants of up to USD 250,000 from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. 🗓️ The applications close on Dec. 31, 2025 and the first round of grantees will be announced in early 2026.  ✈To apply, visit globalcitizen.org/education-fund…  At Ball Business, we are committed to empowering aspiring and experienced stakeholders across all sectors of the football business with the knowledge, resources, and network needed to navigate and excel in the industry through high-quality education, expert insights, and strategic support. Follow Ball Business to stay educated, empowered and connected.

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🚨There’s no perfect time to start because greatness never waits.🗣 🎙VICTOR OSIMHEN: "When I think of Olusosun… This is not a place that offers you promises. ..There’s not a lot of promise. Nobody would tell you they believe in you..But I never gave up" You have to fight to achieve whatsoever you want to achieve; it depends on how you want to rule your life...A lot of them know me; they know how my family lived, especially after my mother passed away. I made it out of what I feel is more than just trenches.” Even though Osimhen’s dad wanted him to become a doctor. He had other ideas. He wanted to be Didier Drogba. His great aim was to one day be named African Footballer of the Year— an award the #Chelsea legend won twice. And when he won the award, he went back to Olusosun with the award, showing it's possible to do great things from a small place. " I want them to know there’s hope in everything. You just have to keep believing, keep praying mostly for grace and protection from God, and keep working hard at what you do best. I believe God will always come through.” His story is a reminder that no matter where they come from, success is possible with belief and hard work. 🔹️Start small. 🔹️Start where you are. 🔹️Build daily. As in most cases, momentum compounds and success begets success.🎯 The best way to start… is to start.😎💪 At Ball Business, we don't only represent. We educate, empower and connect aspiring and experienced stakeholders across all sectors of the football business with the knowledge, resources, and network needed to navigate and excel in the industry.

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The Ball Business @Ballbusiness_

12 months ago

🚨There’s no perfect time to start because greatness never waits.🗣 🔹️Start small. 🔹️Start where you are. 🔹️Build daily. As in most cases, momentum compounds and success begets success.🎯 The best way to start… is to start.😎💪 #MondayMotivation #TheBallBusiness

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💼How CAF World Cup Qualifiers Shape Player Value and Market Pricing.😎 In Africa, World Cup qualifiers don’t just build dreams, they build market value. When you look closely at the African football calendar, few events shape reputation and transfer worth quite like the CAF World Cup Qualifiers. These games compress high-pressure football and unpredictable environments into brief, defining moments, where every goal, assist, and save can rewrite a player’s market story. But beyond qualification, here’s the overlooked truth ⤵️ CAF qualifiers don’t just decide who gets to the World Cup, they influence how scouts, agents, and clubs value, price, and negotiate talent worldwide. ⤵️ 🔹️Visibility: The Global Window Exposure drives valuation and the CAF World Cup qualifiers offer exactly that. Every international break becomes a scouting stage watched by analysts from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. For agents and clubs, that’s gold. When you pitch a player after a strong qualifier performance, don’t just say “he played well.” Say:  “He performed under national pressure, in front of 50,000 fans, against a top-50 ranked nation.” That’s the kind of language scouts understand and investors value. 🔹️ Market Signals and Pricing Power As much as lots of clubs employ the use of statistics to guide decisions, they also want to buy certainty. Qualifiers give you that. Analysts call this “high-signal data.” Why? Because these games carry weight statistically. According to FIFA’s Men’s World Ranking Procedure, qualifying matches earn significantly higher coefficients than friendlies. That means performance in these fixtures influences how global scouts interpret a player’s reliability at elite levels. 🔹️Pathway to Market Access For African players aiming for top leagues like the Premier League, World Cup qualifiers aren’t just exposure—they’re eligibility. Under The FA’s Governing Body Endorsement (GBE), national team appearances directly impact work permit points. So every minute on the pitch in a CAF qualifier can literally open a door to Europe. 🔹️Turning Qualifier Moments into Negotiation Power Smart agents know that timing is everything. A standout window in June can trigger interest and open a short window for negotiation. Use performance data, verified stats, and powerful storytelling to turn those moments into market currency. 📈 Combine: 🔹️Data (heat maps, metrics, performance indexes) 🔹️Narrative (resilience, leadership, consistency) 🔹️Context (ranked opponents, match importance) ▫️Don’t sell stats, sell the story behind the stats.🎯 ✔ Check out Branding Secrets for Football Agents on our page on how to translate player performance into leverage 🔹️ Long-Term Brand Growth The impact of CAF World Cup qualifiers doesn’t end at full time. If handled correctly, it becomes the foundation for long-term brand growth. National team call-ups increase visibility, boost social engagement, and attract commercial opportunities. 🔹️Managing Risk and Maintaining Value. Exposure also comes with pressure. Fatigue and congested fixtures can threaten player consistency.  Plan for that 🤝 Prepare structured recovery schedules, communicate openly with clubs, and send verified post-window data. 🔹️The CAF Run-In: Your Market Advantage👑 CAF World Cup qualifiers are not just matches. They’re market moments where smart agents, analysts, and clubs can build or reshape value before anyone else. Don’t wait for the World Cup to sell value, the qualifiers already give you that platform. 🎧 🎙️For consistent insight and stories from within the African football industry, you can tune in to The Ball Business Podcast.  READ MORE: theballbusiness.com/uncategorized/…  At The Ball Business, we’re committed to empowering both aspiring and experienced stakeholders across the football ecosystem with the knowledge, tools, and network to navigate and excel in the global industry. FOLLOW BALL BUSINESS; STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME 💯

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The Future of Transfers: NFTs, Smart Contracts & Player Tokenization. For over a century, football transfers lived in a world of paperwork and handshakes. But as technology continues to redefine industries, it's quietly rewriting the rules in football. Behind the scenes, the game is being reshaped by blockchain, smart contracts, NFTs, and player tokenization. But is this just a trend? Or is this the direction football transfers are actually heading? More importantly, what does it mean for agents, lawyers and clubs? 🔷️NFTs, Smart Contracts, and Player Tokenization. At first glance, these terms sound like buzzwords but beneath, they are the future of football. 🔹️NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens): Unique digital assets stored on the blockchain. They capture everything from a player’s digital highlight reel to a signed contract or limited-edition merchandise. 🔹️Smart Contracts: Legally binding agreements contracts with rules and payouts coded into them. They are self-executing once the conditionds are met—no need for third-party enforcement. 🔹️Player Tokenization: The representation of a player’s future value or revenue as tradeable digital tokens. It’s like fractional ownership of a player’s future earnings or branding potential by fans or investors. 🔷️Have These Tools Been Used in Real Transfers? YES, but only in limited ways. Clubs like PSG, Juventus, Barcelona and Inter Milan have already launched fan tokens. Players have sold NFTs linked to their brands and achievements, giving fans a share of their digital journey. While no major transfer has yet been executed fully through a smart contract, we’re witnessing the foundation being built, technically one at a time.  👔 What Does This Mean for Football Agents and Lawyers? Traditionally, agents and sports lawyers were the custodians of negotiation and experts at navigating FIFA’s complex regulations. But, they must also understand the language of blockchain, tokenomics, and digital compliance. Because when a player’s image rights or future bonuses are coded into a smart contract, the agent who doesn’t understand how it works risks being left behind. But for those who adapt? This is an opportunity. 🔷️Advantage of Blockchain over Traditional Transfer Systems. 🔹️Speed and automation: Smart contracts don’t need back-and-forth emails and lawyers for every clause. The agreement executes itself when conditions are met. 🔹️Transparency: Blockchain records can’t be altered. This reduces disputes and increases trust, especially in complicated image rights or third-party arrangements. 🔹️New revenue streams: Fan tokens and player NFTs create financial opportunities for clubs and players beyond matchdays and sponsorships. 🔹️Global access: These tools allow clubs, investors, and fans across the world to engage financially in ways that were previously impossible  🔮 What The Future Looks Like. The intersection of law and technology is no longer a niche conversation. It’s the next chapter in football’s business revolution. We may not see Mbappé or Haaland transferred through smart contract this season. But five years from now? It’s on the table. And only Agents, lawyers and clubs that understand both the legal and technical mechanics of blockchain will define the next era of football. 🔸️The contracts are no longer written just with paper and pen; they are now also written in code.🤝 And if you’re still thinking “this doesn’t affect me,” think again READ MORE: theballbusiness.com/football-agenc…   🔷️Stay Ahead with Ball Bridge Football is moving faster than ever, and keeping up isn’t optional. That's why at Ball Bridge, we created Ball-Bridge—an assistant who can help you scale up quickly, take pressure off your neck and help you focus on what matters most.  So whether you are a new or established sports agent, this is a great opportunity for you.  🔗 You can join the waitlist today by visiting ballbridge.com and be part of the future of sports representation.

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🚨 A Day with Funbi— Behind the Scenes at BallBusiness 🎥 Ever wondered how football business stories are told, one episode at a time? Step into a day at BallBusiness with @Funbiball as we take you behind the scenes of how our team drives the football business forward. From strategic sessions to creative planning, we take you behind the scenes of a day at BallBusiness, showing what it really looks like to work where football meets business.  Check us out at theballbusiness.com  and don’t forget to follow us on all socials: 📸 Instagram: @TheBallBusiness_ 🐦 X: @Ballbusiness_ ▶️ YouTube: @TheBallBusiness 💼 LinkedIn: The Ball Business

Guyana, are you ready? 🇬🇾 This December, ProElevate Sports Agency brings a tournament like no other - 4 teams, 1 stadium, electric crowd Be part of the journey Witness raw talent ready for the world stage. Dec 8–13 National Training Center #ProElevate #GuyanaFootball #Football

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+1 I am grateful to the living God, Ayérayé Ọlọ́run Ìyanu, for making me see a new year. #AyerayeGBAgbogboogo 🔥🔥🔥🔔🔔🔔

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Might as well just do a May Dump🫠

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From everyone at Nextinis — we’re kicking off a new month with passion, precision, and premium football experiences. #HappyNewMonth

There’s unreal vibes… then there’s Yves Bissouma vibes 🔊😁

We said what we said. These are the top 5 Stadiums to visit. Disagree? Drop your fave in the comments! 1/2 #football #EuropaLeague #Stadium

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Did You Know? #MondayTrivial

Are you familiar with what Football ⚽️ Sport Hospitality is all about? It’s about the entire journey, from arrival to final whistle. Open thread to see what it can look like👇

Beyond the chessboard, there's hope! Honored to be part of @Tunde_OD & @CoachShawnMar’s 64hr chess record and to meet these amazing kids @chessinslums. Their passion is contagious, and their stories are truly impactful. #70HoursofChessWithTunde #ChessForEducation #GWR2025

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We had the pleasure of hosting Lindi Ngwenya, founder of SISU Sports Management, on Episode 04 of the BallBusiness Podcast. With years of experience navigating global football markets, Lindi shared valuable insights on building relationships, managing cultural dynamics, and finding untapped opportunities across continents. Catch the full conversation soon. This is one you don’t want to miss. 🎙⚽ #BallBusiness #FootballBusiness #SportsManagement #FIFAAgent #BallBusinessPodcast #GlobalFootball #SISUSports #FootballAgents #XSports

FIFA Agent Exam 2025 Practice Questions 2-Mock Test youtu.be/Ad4CHA_4Whk?si… via @YouTube

In preparation of the FIFA AGENT EXAM, quizzes will be uploaded to help aspirants prepare. For study material don't forget to visit theballbusiness.com #FIFAAGENTEXAM #FIFA