The history of the Africa Cup of Nations, has, since its creation, seen three different trophies awarded to the winners. The first trophy, made of silver, was named after the first CAF president, the Egyptian Abdel-Aziz Abd-Allah Salem. Ghana, the first winner of three Africa Cup of Nations editions, received the right to permanently keep the trophy in 1978. The second trophy, which was awarded from 1980 to 2000, was named “Trophy of African Unity” or “African Unity Cup”. It was given to CAF by the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa prior to the 1980 tournament. It was a cylindrical piece with the Olympics rings over a map of the continent engraved on it. It sat on a squared base and had stylised triangular handles. Cameroon won the Unity Cup permanently after they became 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, was the first nation to be awarded the new trophy after it won the 2002 edition. Egypt won the gold-plated cup indefinitely after it became three-time champions in 2010, an unprecedented achievement of winning three consecutive continental titles. While former winners took the trophy home, Egypt was presented with a special full-sized replica that it was allowed to keep. First and second- time winners usually get a smaller replica for their trophy cabinets.
