In a move that has sent shockwaves through the African football landscape, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a seismic change to the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament. Effective immediately, the biennial competition will now be held every four years, a decision that has sparked fierce debate among fans, coaches, and football pundits alike.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe, who made the announcement on the eve of the recently concluded Afcon final in Morocco, has defended the decision, stating that it is “in the best interests of African football.” The move, he argues, will help synchronise the global football calendar and provide a “better competition” in the form of a new African Nations League, set to be introduced in 2029.
However, the decision has been met with mixed reactions. Mali coach Tom Saintfiet has labelled it “totally wrong,” while some have accused FIFA president Gianni Infantino of influencing the move, with the aim of “killing African football.” Motsepe has dismissed these claims, asserting that CAF had to make compromises to ensure the global calendar is “significantly more synchronised and harmonised.”
The shift in Afcon’s scheduling will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications. The tournament, which has become a beloved global spectacle known for its dramatic storylines and unpredictability, has long been a biennial event since its inception in 1957, barring a few exceptions.
The decision to move to a quadrennial format has raised concerns about the impact on player availability, as European clubs have consistently struggled with the mid-season loss of their African stars. The pledge to stage Afcon in June and July has also fallen by the wayside, with climate concerns and the introduction of FIFA’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup last year being cited as the primary reasons.
Supporters and critics alike have voiced their opinions on the matter. Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly acknowledged the importance of Afcon for the development of the continent, while Ivory Coast boss Emerse Fae believes the change could be “a good thing” if African football continues to progress. Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore, however, expressed concerns that the move could hinder the opportunities for some players to showcase themselves on the world stage.
The announcement has also spelled the end of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament for domestically-based players, which Motsepe described as a “spectacular money-loser.” As for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, no mention has been made of a potential shift to a four-year cycle, with former South Africa midfielder Amanda Dlamini expressing hope that the women’s game will maintain its biennial schedule.
Motsepe has admitted that CAF could have done a better job in communicating the decision and its rationale. He has acknowledged the need to ensure that “everyday people” understand the reasoning behind the move, which he believes will become more apparent in the coming years.
As the African football community grapples with this monumental change, the future of the continent’s premier football competition remains uncertain. While the introduction of the African Nations League may provide a new platform for growth, the true impact of the Afcon’s shift to a quadrennial format will only be fully realised in the years to come.
