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The Confederation of African Football, CAF, reversed its previous decision to host the AFCON African Cup of Nations every four years, restoring the competition to its traditional two-year cycle.
The decision was made unanimously at a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee held on Thursday.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe had recently indicated at the continent’s strategic conference in Cape Verde that the Executive Committee would reconsider its earlier decision to move AFCON to a four-year cycle.
The initial proposal was part of CAF’s broader plan to introduce a new African Nations League, which was expected to replace the AFCON as the continent’s biennial national team competition.
However, CAF acknowledged that it would take several years to convert the proposed African Nations League into a globally competitive and financially self-sustaining tournament.
Motsepe defends the CAF decision
Explaining the decision, Motsepe said the return to a two-year AFCON cycle was driven by the need to protect the interests of African football, the 54 CAF member associations and African players competing for clubs outside the continent.
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He added that CAF was concerned about the long period required for the proposed African Nations League to generate the financial and football development benefits needed to strengthen African football.
“The decision by the CAF EXCO that the AFCON should be held every two years was based on advancing, protecting and promoting the interests of African football and the 54 member associations of the CAF, as well as the interests of African players employed by football clubs outside Africa,” Motsepe quoted Motsepe as saying. CAFonline.
“We were also concerned about the several years required before the proposed new pan-African competition of the African Nations League (which was supposed to be identical to the current AFCON and take place every two years), could make substantial contributions to financial and football development so that the African football and CAF competitions would be globally competitive and self-sustaining.
“The next AFCON will take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and I am sure it will be a great success. The next AFCONs will take place in 2028, 2031 and 2033.
“The next FIFA World Cup will take place in 2030 and, in accordance with FIFA tradition, the AFCON finals and other confederation national team competitions cannot take place during the FIFA World Cup year.
“The AFCON competition is also about celebrating African football and the rich and diverse cultures, customs and traditions of Africa and bringing together people from all 54 countries in Africa, the African diaspora and around the world.
“The decision by the CAF EXCO is in the best interest of African football and the 54 CAF member associations and will also contribute significantly to the development and growth of football in Africa.”
By Adeboye Amosu
