Football Shirt Culture.com

For decades, adidas has tailored the name and design of FIFA tournament match balls to honour the host country. After releasing the first specifically designed Women’s Euro match ball last week, adidas has now, for the first time ever, created a match ball specifically designed for a FIFA Confederations Cup.

The name of the ball and its unusual design pay tribute to 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup hosts, South Africa. 'Kopanya' was unveiled as the Official Match Ball of the 2009 tournament in front of a roaring crowd as South Africa faced off against Africa's Indomitable Lions, Cameroon, in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge Match.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ hosts and the African football giants were the first teams to ever set use 'Kopanya'. The international friendly played at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg precedes the Final Draw for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup which takes place on Saturday.

The word 'kopanya' comes from Southern Sesotho, an official language spoken by almost five million people throughout the rainbow nation. Literally translated, kopanya means "join together".

A very appropriate term for an event that is meant to bring together continental champions and world champions, and introduce them to the 11 language nation that will host the world's greatest sporting event in 2010.

A clear symbol of the first FIFA World Cup on the African continent, Kopanya's unusual design was inspired by the artwork of the Ndebele people of Southern Africa. The complex shapes and black contours are traditional Ndebele elements, and have been fused with the colourful vibrancy that typifies modern Ndebele artists. A silver sheen provides a  futuristic touch.

The design honours tradition while embracing the future - a core value of adidas. Like its predecessor, the 'Europass' (used for UEFA EURO 2008™) the adidas 'Kopanya' provides perfect flight characteristics and allows the players exceptional ball control.

Kopanya will be available for purchase from 1 December 2008 in the FSC shop