AFCON 2023: Exploring the rich history, evolving trophies in African football history

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international football competition in Africa, featuring national teams from the continent. It takes place every two years, showcasing top football talent and fostering regional pride.

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), also known as the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship reasons, or simply AFCON or CAN, is the primary international men’s association football competition in Africa. It is sanctioned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and was first held in 1957. Since 1968, it has been held every two years, switching to odd-numbered years in 2013.

In the inaugural tournament in 1957, only three nations participated: Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. South Africa was initially scheduled to join but was disqualified due to the apartheid policies of the government then in power. Since then, the tournament has significantly expanded, necessitating a qualifying tournament. The number of participants in the final tournament reached 16 in 1998 (16 teams were to compete in 1996, but Nigeria withdrew, reducing the field to 15, and the same happened with Togo’s withdrawal in 2010). Until 2017, the format remained unchanged, with 16 teams drawn into four groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group advanced to a knockout stage. On 20 July 2017, the Africa Cup of Nations was moved from January to June and expanded from 16 to 24 teams.

Egypt is the most successful nation in the cup’s history, winning the tournament seven times. Three trophies have been awarded during the tournament’s history, with Ghana and Cameroon winning the first two versions to keep after each won a tournament three times. The current trophy was first awarded in 2002. Egypt won an unprecedented three consecutive titles in 2006, 2008, and 2010. In 2013, the tournament format was switched to being held in odd-numbered years to avoid interference with the FIFA World Cup. Senegal is the tournament’s current champion, having beaten Egypt on penalties in the 2021 final.

Trophy and Medals:

Throughout the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, three trophies have been awarded to the winners of the competition. The original trophy, made of silver, was the Abdelaziz Abdallah Salem Trophy, named after the first CAF president, Egyptian Abdelaziz Abdallah Salem. As the first winner of three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, Ghana obtained the right to permanently hold the trophy in 1978.

The second trophy was awarded from 1980 to 2000 and was named the “Trophy of African Unity” or “African Unity Cup.” It was given to CAF by the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa before the 1980 tournament and was a cylindrical piece with the Olympic rings over a map of the continent engraved on it. It sat on a square base and had stylized triangular handles. Cameroon won the Unity Cup indefinitely after becoming three-time champions in 2000.

In 2001, the third trophy was revealed, a gold-plated cup designed and made in Italy. Cameroon, permanent holders of the previous trophy, were the first nation to be awarded the new trophy after winning the 2002 edition. Egypt won the gold-plated cup indefinitely after becoming three-time champions in 2010. Unlike previous winners who would have then taken the trophy home, Egypt was presented with a special full-size replica that they were allowed to keep. The winner of each edition receives a replica whose dimensions are equal to that of the original trophy.

CAF awards 30 gold medals to the winning team, 30 silver medals to the runners-up, 30 bronze medals to the team ranked third, and 30 diplomas to the team ranked fourth in the final tournament.