A fresh Man-of-the-Match trophy unveiled at the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 is more than polished metal and fine design — it is a bold statement of Africa’s unity, diversity and ever-rising football identity.
Rolled out from the tournament’s opening whistle, the reimagined prize signals a deliberate turn by CAF and TotalEnergies to ensure individual honours mirror the continent’s shared values, rich culture and growing influence on the global football stage.
Designed with 24 glowing beams, the trophy nods to each of the 24 competing nations, celebrating their unique identities while underlining a powerful truth: African football flourishes when strength is pooled and unity takes centre stage.
Its fusion of materials speaks to diversity, while the beams, converging at a single point, capture football’s rare magic — the ability to dissolve borders and bind nations, cultures and people through a shared love of the game.
At the heart of the design lies the Damask rose, emblem of host nation Morocco, anchoring the trophy in heritage, place and the unforgettable moments being carved into AFCON 2025 history.
Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman was among the first to lift the new trophy, earning Man-of-the-Match honours after a calm yet commanding performance in the Super Eagles’ gripping 3-2 victory over Tunisia on Saturday.
Describing the award as “a symbol of Africa’s story and the hard work behind every performance,” Lookman said it carried a deeper meaning beyond personal glory.
“Winning this feels special because it represents more than one player,” Lookman said. “It shows what African football stands for — unity, pride and excellence on a global stage.”
The Super Eagles winger added that the trophy serves as fuel rather than a finish line, noting that it “pushes you to give everything, knowing you are part of something bigger than yourself.”
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz and Nigeria’s Semi Ajayi have also claimed the honour during the tournament, reinforcing the trophy’s role as a beacon celebrating individual brilliance woven into Africa’s collective football journey at AFCON 2025.
