The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco is not only about football. It has also become a major stage for African fashion and culture. Many national teams arrived wearing traditional outfits instead of only their football jerseys. These looks quickly went viral on social media and won praise from fans around the world.
Teams like Nigeria, Mali, Zimbabwe, and Côte d’Ivoire wore clothing inspired by their local traditions. Nigeria’s Super Eagles appeared in green kaftans with matching hats. Mali’s team chose bogolan outfits in black, gold, blue, and white. Zimbabwe’s players wore colorful suits that reflected their cultural identity. These outfits highlighted the beauty of African craftsmanship.
Côte d’Ivoire attracted special attention. As the defending African champions, the Elephants arrived in stylish trench coats made from Kita cloth. The outfits were decorated with Adinkra symbols in white and gold thread. These symbols come from Akan culture. The designs were created by Elie Kuame, an Ivorian-Lebanese designer based in Abidjan. His brand focuses on turning African fashion into modern luxury.
Another designer in focus was Alvin Junior Mak, who designed outfits for the Democratic Republic of Congo team. Although he grew up in Paris, he produced the outfits in the DRC with local artisans. The jackets featured leopard patterns, a strong symbol of the national team. His work supports local skills and sustainable fashion.
Burkina Faso also worked with a local brand called Free Design. Designer Ahmed Ouedraogo created white tunics with green and red stripes, matching the national flag. The simple yet meaningful design reflected national pride.
Global brands also joined the celebration. Daily Paper partnered with Moroccan artist Hassan Hajjaj in Marrakech. Their events mixed football, art, music, and fashion, connecting African culture with youth communities worldwide. Adidas and Arte Antwerp released a special collection in Morocco’s national colors, worn by players before matches.
Puma played a big role too. It designed the official match ball with Moroccan-inspired patterns and released jerseys celebrating African diasporas in Europe. Overall, AFCON 2025 has shown how football can proudly showcase African culture, creativity, and fashion to the world.
