The Jabulani Adidas is the official match ball for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The ball was unveiled in Cape Town, South Africa. Jabulani means “rejoice” in Zulu, and was developed at Loughborough University, UK.
The ball was also used as the match ball of 2009 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, and a special version of the ball, the Jabulani Angola, was the match ball of the 2010 African Cup of Nations. This ball is also used in the 2010 Clausura Tournament of Argentina as well as the 2010 MLS season in the USA in the league’s colours of blue and green.
The Jabulani has four triangular design elements on a white background. 11 different colours are used, representing the 11 players on a football team, the 11 official languages of South Africa, and the 11 South African communities.
The Jabulani Angola, used at the 2010 African Cup of Nations in Angola, was coloured to represent the yellow, red, and black of the host nation’s flag. A special match ball with gold panels will be used for the final that will be held in Johannesburg on 11 July. The name of the ball inspired by the city of Johannesburg, which is often nicknamed Jo’burg and will be the site of the 2010 Final.
The Jabulani balls are made in China, thermoplastic polyurethane-elastomer from Taiwan, using latex bladders made in India, ethylene vinyl acetate, isotropic polyester/cotton fabric, glue, and ink from China.
The Jabulani is going to be every goalkeeper’s nightmare, and every striker’s greatest Christmas gift. To be honest, I can’t wait to see Cristiano Ronaldo strike this Jabulani Soccer Ball because when he does it could be spectacular! I spent some time taking shots and it absolutely pings. The Jabulani is a very light ball and when you strike it clean it moves fast. In a sense, it reminds me of a plastic ball and it sounds plastic when you bounce it.
One of customer review is Fernando Robledo. Here is what he said about World Cup 2010 Ball“Best Soccerball ever. Now I know why soccer players kick hard and move fast. It’s all about the Ball.”