AFCON 2025 Trophy Makes Vibrant Paris Stop on CAF Diaspora Tour

The Trophy of the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) made a high-profile stop in Paris as part of its ongoing Diaspora Tour, drawing a large and diverse audience to a colourful reception at the Palais de Tokyo.

The tour, designed to strengthen ties between Africa and its diaspora communities ahead of Morocco’s hosting of AFCON 2025, brought together footballers, journalists, artists and fans in a celebration of continental pride, cultural energy and shared passion for the game.

A major highlight of the Paris event was the official unveiling of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Trophy, greeted with enthusiastic applause from attendees who came out in large numbers to embrace the symbolic moment.

Speaking to MAP, Omar Khyari, Advisor to the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), said the Diaspora Tour aims to unite Africans living in Europe around the forthcoming tournament.

He noted the “tremendous enthusiasm observed last week in London and this week in Paris” and reaffirmed that, in line with the vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco is committed to delivering “the best AFCON in history.”

Khyari added that FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa and his team are fully mobilised to stage a world-class competition and an exceptional fan experience.

French journalist Hervé Penot, a senior reporter with L’Équipe, also lauded Morocco’s preparations, stating that the 2025 edition “could be one of the best ever organised on the continent.” He highlighted the quality of Morocco’s infrastructure and the steady rise of its football ecosystem, which continues to set standards in Africa.

The Paris stop forms part of a wider mobilisation effort, aimed at amplifying excitement and bringing African communities closer together as anticipation grows for what is expected to be one of the most memorable tournaments in AFCON history.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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