Three different trophies have been presented to the winners of the tournament since its inception in 1957: The Abdel Aziz Abdullah Salem Cup from 1957 to 1987, named after the donors and the first president of the Confederation of African Football, Abdel Aziz Abdallah Salem of Egypt, and kept by the Ghana after winning it three times in 1963, 1965 and 1978.

It was given by the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa to the Confederation of African Football before the tournament and was used from 1980 to 2000 and was kept by Cameroon after winning it 3 times in 1984, 1988 and 2000.

Ethiopia, Sudan, Congo, Zaire and Morocco were some of the other teams to lift the trophy.

The African Unity Cup (1980–2000) was given by the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa to CAF prior to the 1980 tournament, and was a cylindrical piece with the Olympic rings on a map of the continent.

Unlike previous winners, Egypt did not retain the trophy and was given a full-size replica to keep.