CAF Considers Reversing AFCON Four-Year Plan as African Coaches Push for Biennial Tournament

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) may be reconsidering its plans to hold the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years following mounting opposition from leading African coaches and football stakeholders.

The proposed change from the competition's traditional two-year schedule has generated widespread debate, with critics warning that extending the gap between tournaments could harm the growth of African football, limit opportunities for national teams and reduce the economic benefits enjoyed by host countries.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe recently revealed that the organisation was reviewing its decision to introduce a four-year cycle. Speaking at a CAF strategy conference in Cape Verde earlier this month, Motsepe confirmed that a return to the biennial format remained one of the options under consideration.

The development could mark a reversal of CAF's announcement in December 2025, when the governing body proposed holding AFCON every four years after the 2027 and 2028 editions. The plan was designed to accommodate changes to the international football calendar, including the introduction of an African Nations League.

However, the proposal has faced significant criticism across the continent. Concerns have centred on the tournament's commercial potential, the development of national teams and the need for African countries to have regular opportunities to compete at the highest level.

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle is among the prominent figures supporting a return to the traditional schedule. The Super Eagles manager believes that organising AFCON every two years allows national teams to develop their playing styles, improve their performances and gain valuable experience through regular high-level competition.

Chelle has also emphasised the financial advantages of hosting the tournament, noting its potential to boost tourism, support local businesses and generate economic opportunities for host nations.

Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard has also criticised the proposed four-year interval, describing the extended wait between tournaments as a concern. Meanwhile, Democratic Republic of Congo coach Sébastien Desabre has expressed support for retaining the competition's biennial format.

Former Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana and DR Congo coach Claude Le Roy has also argued that AFCON's significance goes beyond the football itself. According to his position, hosting the competition regularly can encourage infrastructure improvements and deliver broader social and economic benefits to communities across the continent.

Despite increasing calls for a return to the two-year schedule, CAF has not yet reached a final decision. Reversing the proposed changes would require the organisation to reassess its competition calendar and wider strategic plans.

For South African football fans, the outcome of the debate is particularly important. Bafana Bafana, like other national teams across Africa, benefit from regular continental tournaments that provide opportunities to assess progress, strengthen squads and maintain competitive form between major international competitions.

The coming weeks could be decisive as CAF considers the sporting, commercial and organisational implications of both formats. Restoring the biennial schedule would preserve AFCON's long-standing tradition, although the final outcome will depend on CAF's evaluation of the competing priorities.

For now, the possibility of a major reversal has renewed optimism among supporters who believe Africa's biggest international football competition should continue to feature regularly on the continent's sporting calendar.

Source:

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