CAF Considers Major AFCON U-Turn as African Coaches Oppose Four-Year Format

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) could reconsider its controversial decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years following growing opposition from prominent African coaches and football officials.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe recently confirmed that the organisation was reviewing the proposed changes, raising hopes that the continent's biggest international football tournament could return to its traditional two-year cycle.

Speaking during a CAF strategy conference in Cape Verde earlier this month, Motsepe revealed that restoring the biennial format was among the options being considered. The development could represent a significant reversal of the decision announced in December 2025, when CAF proposed moving to a four-year schedule after the 2027 and 2028 editions.

The original plan was intended to accommodate changes to the international football calendar and create space for a proposed African Nations League. However, the announcement sparked widespread debate about its potential impact on African football.

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle is among those supporting a return to the traditional schedule. The Super Eagles manager believes holding AFCON every two years provides national teams with more opportunities to develop, improve their competitiveness and establish stronger team identities.

Chelle also highlighted the economic advantages of hosting the tournament, including increased tourism, business activity and employment opportunities for host nations.

Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard and Democratic Republic of Congo coach Sébastien Desabre have also opposed the four-year format, expressing support for maintaining the competition's existing frequency.

Meanwhile, experienced French coach Claude Le Roy has emphasised that AFCON offers benefits beyond football, particularly through infrastructure development and economic opportunities for African communities.

For South Africa, regular AFCON tournaments would provide Bafana Bafana with more opportunities to test themselves against the continent's strongest teams.

However, CAF has yet to confirm whether it will reverse the proposed changes. Its final decision will depend on footballing, commercial and organisational considerations.

The debate has reignited calls to preserve AFCON's traditional schedule, with coaches and supporters awaiting CAF's next move.

Source

https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2113168532372324391