Is holding Afcon every four years ‘totally wrong’ or ‘good call’?

Fans can anticipate two more editions in quick succession in 2027 and 2028, even though the precise dates of those competitions and the country’s host country have not yet been announced. The first one was the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which had more goals than ever before but saw controversy thwart the final.

The Afcon will then be held annually rather than annually thereafter.

On the eve of Morocco’s recently concluded finals, Patrice Motespe, president of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), also announced the launch of a new African Nations League, which will be introduced in 2029 and played annually.

The announcement sparked debate and disagreement with world governing body Fifa, with Mali coach Tom Saintfiet calling it “totally wrong” after consultation with the organization.

Motsepe, however, has gone further and claimed Caf is “convinced” that the decision serves “the best interests of African football.”

He also thinks that Nations League will offer “better competition” than Afcon.

There are many different viewpoints in this area, according to Motsepe, who said that the next “Afcon” should be held every two years.

Infantino “wants to kill African football,” according to a reputable former manager with extensive experience across the continent.

The Swiss has clearly adopted Motsepe’s perspective on Afcon over the past five years as the Fifa World Cup has grown to 48 teams and nine African sides are guaranteed spots.

Motsepe now contends that Caf had to reach a compromise in order to “significantly more synchronized and harmonise” the world calendar.

Despite being accused by some media outlets that Fifa, not Caf, runs the African game, the South African reacted spikily.

He said, “We have to get over this inferiority complex.”

“Europeans and the Fifa people have more respect for us than some of our own people]in Africa,” I find sad.

Afcon has hosted two biennial competitions since its founding in 1957, with the exception of the 2012 and 2013 editions, which took place after a three-year gap between 1959 and 1962.

It has grown to be a compelling watch, well-known for its unpredictable and dramatic plots.

However, scheduling issues have arisen as a result of Africans’ ever-increasing number of companies making money in Europe.

Afcon plans to take place in June and July have fallen short due to climate concerns, which were followed by the launch of Fifa’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup last year.

Belgian Saintfiet, who has coached seven African nations, told the BBC World Service, “We look too much to please the big clubs in Europe.”

Hossam Hassan of Egypt, for instance, said the move “would serve the interests of European leagues,” while Emerse Fae of Ivory Coast, for instance, said it could be a positive thing if African football keeps growing.

The Nations League might give smaller nations a chance to improve.

I don’t know whether losing games 5-0 or 6-0 really raises the standard for African football, Fae said.

Caf’s revenue has significantly increased since Motsepe took office thanks to Afcon.

A profit of $114m (£85m) was forecast for Afcon 2025, up from $75m (£56m) for the Ivory Coast and what was less than $5m (£3.7m) for the 2021 edition in Cameroon.

Although regular hosting has spurred the creation of football infrastructure, keeping those facilities up to date can be challenging.

Senegal’s captain Kalidou Koulibaly stated, “We know that it’s really important to hold the [Afcon] every two years for the development of the continent.

For our continent, every two years was “amazing,” I believe. However, if the decision is made in this way, we will be able to predict the future.

Why does one wonder, “Why change?” especially given that it has a polished product.

Motsepe claims that Afcon’s revenue is significantly lower than Caf’s “for the African Nations League” implemented.

The fact that the Nations League will be played regionally may help revive dormant rivalries, but whether the balance sheets match the forecasts is another matter.

Players have frequently used Afcon as a window to make potentially life-changing, lucrative transfers.

Bertrand Traore, the captain of Burkinabe, said: “We are the luckiest generation because the youngest will have to wait every four years to play an Afcon.

Some players will be more accepting of this choice, but others will need to showcase their abilities in the world.

Caf’s changes also signal the end of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a national-level competition.

The previous two CHANs have felt like ugly ducklings, with some nations not even qualifying, an odd number of runners-up, Morocco rescinding their participation due to diplomatic tensions, and 2024 finals that were postponed due to the hosts not ready.

Motsepe called CHAN a “spectacular money-loser,” but it also helped spur Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi and Lamine Camara, both of whom played in the 2025 Afcon final, to advance their international careers.

Meanwhile, Teranga Lions coach Pape Thiaw, who won the championship in 2022, gained experience as a result.

No mention of a potential four-year cycle has been made of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, though.

Amanda Dlamini, a former South African international, believes that the African women’s game is “different” and is still trying to establish itself as a product.

Motsepe has acknowledged that Caf could have explained its decision and its timing more clearly.

During a nearly two-hour news conference in Rabat last month, it certainly served as a bolt from the blue.

On Saturday, Motsepe admitted, “We didn’t do as good a job preparing the ground for this Afcon every four years.

We must ensure that the people we serve understand what we have done and how it benefits them.

“We are aware that people will understand what we are talking about in two or three years.”