The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has introduced a new Man of the Match trophy, marking a fresh approach to celebrating individual excellence at Africa’s biggest football tournament.
Unveiled at the start of the competition and presented since the opening match five days ago, the redesigned award has drawn praise for a bold look that reflects Africa’s identity and the spirit of the tournament.
For many years, the Man of the Match prize remained largely unchanged. At AFCON 2025, however, the Confédération Africaine de Football and title sponsor TotalEnergies opted for a trophy that symbolises unity, diversity and the continent’s growing influence on the global game.
The trophy features 24 radiant beams, each representing one of the nations competing at the finals. The design highlights both individuality and togetherness, with the beams flowing into a single structure.
London-born artist of Nigerian heritage Yinka Ilori explained that the mix of materials distinguishes each nation, while their convergence reflects how football unites people across cultures. At the centre of the trophy sits the Damask rose, a symbol closely associated with host nation Morocco, serving as a visual reminder of where the honour is earned.
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz became the first recipient of the new award after being named Man of the Match in the host nation’s 2–0 victory over Comoros in Rabat on Sunday.
The design was brought to life by Sébastien Habib, based in Normandy, France, who said the challenge was to preserve the purity of Ilori’s concept while concealing the complex internal structure required to assemble the piece.
Habib revealed that brass was used for the golden elements and stainless steel for the silver features, chosen for their strength and timeless quality. He said durability was a key objective, ensuring the trophy would retain its character for decades.
For Habib, the project also carried personal meaning. As the son of a Tunisian-born father, producing a trophy for one of world football’s major tournaments was a source of pride. He said seeing players lift the award on the pitch and across social media has made the experience unforgettable.
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