Senegal may be Africa’s new champions, but they won’t be keeping the original AFCON trophy despite their dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Morocco in the 2025 final played in Rabat.
The Lions of Teranga stunned the home crowd on January 18 after Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in extra time, capping a final that was filled with controversy, VAR drama and raw emotion.
However, the decision not to hand Senegal the original trophy has nothing to do with the heated scenes witnessed at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
So why won’t Senegal keep it?
According to long-standing CAF regulations, the original Africa Cup of Nations trophy always remains the property of the Confederation of African Football.
Champions are allowed to lift, parade and celebrate with the real trophy on the night of victory, but it must be returned shortly after. The winning nation is then issued with an official replica to keep permanently.
This rule has been in place since 2002, after CAF lost two previous AFCON trophies in earlier decades. To protect the competition’s heritage, branding and history, CAF decided that the original cup would never again be handed over for permanent ownership.
Under the rules, the base of the original trophy is engraved with the name of the new champions before presentation.
After celebrations, it is placed back under CAF’s custody, while the winning federation receives a replica and players are awarded medals.
There is only one exception: a nation that wins AFCON three times earns the right to permanently keep an original version of the trophy. Senegal, having now won the competition twice, have not yet reached that milestone.
Despite returning the original silverware, Senegal’s achievement remains historic. They defied suspensions, injuries, hostile home support and late refereeing drama to overcome Morocco, confirming their status as one of Africa’s dominant football forces.
The trophy may go back to CAF, but the glory and the bragging rights belong fully to Senegal.
