If you’ve been watching AFCON 2025 closely, you may have noticed that the Man of the Match trophy feels different this year. More sculptural. More intentional. That’s because the striking award was designed by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori, placing African creativity firmly at the centre of the tournament’s visual language.
Commissioned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Ilori’s design is presented to the best-performing player in every AFCON 2025 match. Beyond recognising individual excellence, the trophy brings a thoughtful design narrative to one of the tournament’s most visible honours.
Known for his bold use of colour, pattern, and cultural storytelling, Ilori draws inspiration from African heritage and contemporary design across his work in architecture, furniture, public installations, and product design. His collaboration with CAF feels like a natural extension of that ethos.
The trophy itself is made up of 24 radiant beams, each representing one of the 24 nations competing at AFCON 2025. The beams vary in material and finish, symbolising the distinct identities of the participating countries, while their convergence reflects football’s ability to unite nations through competition and shared passion.
At the centre of the piece sits the Damask rose, the national flower of host country Morocco, marking the heart of where each match is played and each accolade earned.
Speaking on the design, Ilori described the trophy as “a unique piece that will reward the best player of each match throughout the competition,” adding that it celebrates “each country’s unique strengths and contributions to the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, Morocco 2025.”
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