CAF Unveils Bold New Champions League Trophy at TotalEnergies Headquarters in Rosebank
By Ngcobo2010 Sharp Eye
Rosebank, Johannesburg – 22 May 2025
In a momentous occasion for African club football, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially unveiled its new CAF Champions League trophy during a midday ceremony held at 12:00 on Thursday, 22 May 2025, at the TotalEnergies South Africa headquarters in Rosebank, Johannesburg. The event, hosted in collaboration with long-standing sponsor TotalEnergies, marked the beginning of a new era in the continent’s most prestigious club competition.
The new trophy will be awarded for the first time to the winner of the upcoming CAF Champions League final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC.
Midday Ceremony with Football Greats
The high-profile event was hosted by celebrated broadcaster Thomas Mlambo, who guided proceedings with his signature energy and insight. The panel featured leading voices from African football and commercial circles:
- Jessica Motaung – Marketing and Commercial Director of Kaizer Chiefs and Vice President of the African Clubs Association
- Teko Modise – Former Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfield maestro
- Lucas Radebe – Former Bafana Bafana captain and CAF Technical and Development Committee member
- Hassan El Kamah – CAF Commercial Director
They were joined by Luxolo “Lux” September, CAF’s Head of Media and Communications, who presented the official reveal of the trophy and explained the vision behind its creation.
“This trophy represents a new era in African football. Al Ahly, as the reigning champions, will keep the old trophy. The new one will be contested from this final forward,” September said.
He also noted a unique design feature that links the past to the present:
“The back of the new trophy features the names of all previous CAF Champions League winners, while the front will display the new champions, starting with either Mamelodi Sundowns or Pyramids FC.”
A Trophy with Real Weight
Legendary defender Lucas Radebe took a lighthearted moment to highlight a physical difference fans and players alike will notice—the new trophy is heavier.
“I saw a picture where a player lifted the old trophy with one hand,” Radebe said, smiling. “With this one, players will need both hands. It’s much heavier—and that makes it feel even more prestigious.”
The added weight and redesigned form give the trophy a striking presence, symbolizing the growing stature of African club football on the global stage.
Captains on Site
Adding to the sense of occasion, the captains of both finalist teams were in attendance. Ronwen Williams, representing Mamelodi Sundowns, and the captain of Pyramids FC both stood alongside the new trophy, offering fans a first glimpse of who might be lifting it in the days to come.
A New Chapter in African Football
The unveiling was not just a ceremonial act—it was a celebration of the evolving face of African football. With a fresh trophy, a growing global audience, and a reinforced partnership with TotalEnergies, CAF signaled its intent to take African club football to new heights.
The upcoming final between Sundowns and Pyramids FC will now not only determine the new kings of the continent—it will also decide the first name to be engraved on the front of the new CAF Champions League trophy.
Stay tuned to Ngcobo2010 Sharp Eye social media platforms for full coverage of the CAF Champions League final, exclusive interviews, and in-depth analysis.
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