Announced in 2019 by FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, the African Football League (AFL) looks set to revolutionise sport in a football-mad continent, crowned with a stunning trophy crafted by Thomas Lyte.
Thomas Lyte is honoured to be chosen as the makers of the first African Football League trophy. Kicking off for the first time in 2023, the African Football League aims to celebrate football excellence and camaraderie across the African continent. As the League progresses more teams will be added, while the inaugural competition featured an array of the top clubs from all over the continent, showcasing the diversity of multiple football-mad cultures.
Thomas Lyte handcrafted the African Football League trophy in their London fine silver workshop. We have a long-standing reputation within football – in the UK and across the world. We’re proud of our partnership with the FA, and also the relationships we’ve forged with governing bodies and associations across the globe. From the Caribbean to South East Asia, and Oceania to Africa, there is always a surge of pride in our East London silversmith’s workshop – when a trophy we’ve lovingly hand-crafted is lifted in front of an exultant crowd.
The AFL trophy is no different. The first final, played over two-legs in November 2023, attracted a combined crowd of 95,000 people in Pretoria and Casablanca. The match finished in a 3-2 aggregate win for the Mamelodi Sundowns who defeated Morocco’s AC Wydad in a thrilling finale.
Standing at a height of 54cm, and weighing 13.95kg, the trophy is an illustration of what can be created when new technology meets age-old processes. The arms of the AFL crown were 3D printed and electroformed in-house, making use of the state of the art facilities at Thomas Lyte. The trophy itself was then 24-carat gold plated, and also includes silver-plated brass.
The cheers when the Sundowns lifted this innovative trophy, in front of 50,000 supporters in the South African capital, reverberated across the continent. A bright future for the competition, lead by a dazzling trophy.
The initial slimmed down version of the tournament immediately captured the imagination. The top eight teams from across the continent battled it out for the crowning glory, the stunning trophy awarded to the winners. Hand-crafted in our workshop by our team of experts, the bespoke AFL Trophy has already assured itself of a place at the heart of African tournament football.
Future iterations of the competition will feature additional teams as the competition looks to stretch it’s arms to platform footballing cultures from the entire continent.
In addition to making the AFL Trophy, Thomas Lyte are also the Official Trophy Supplier of the FA and the Emirates FA Cup. We also designed and made the Women’s FA Cup trophy, and design and supply the winner’s and runner up medals for both competitions. Other FA commissions we regularly work on include the FA Community Shield trophy and medals, the FA Youth Cup trophy and repairing or restoring many of The FA’s other pieces, including the Women’s Super League trophy. Thomas Lyte have also designed and made some of the most recognisable pieces of silverware in global football, including, among others, the AFC Champions League and the OFC Champions League trophies.
Our team make the conceivable possible, while preserving traditional skills, pioneering modern methods, and promoting authentic British craft across the globe. Combining the latest technologies with centuries of knowledge, Thomas Lyte’s silver workshops in London, England house world-class facilities for an elite team of designers and makers, masters of their craft. Learn about 3D printing, electroforming and other new technologies that our team have introduced to our sustainable handcrafting process.
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Materials. Sterling Silver, 24 Carat Gold Plate, 3D Print
Workshop Processes. Cleaning, Filing, Sanding, Polishing, 3D Printing, Electroforming, Plating And Engraving
Thomas Lyte are proud to be the entrusted makers of the African Football League trophy.
Take a glance at these fast facts about one of football’s most innovative trophies.
