Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard has backed a return to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) being held every two years, as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) considers reversing its decision to move the tournament to a four-year cycle.

CAF announced in December 2025 that AFCON would be staged every four years from 2028, a move that attracted criticism from football officials and supporters across the continent.

However, CAF president Patrice Motsepe has since indicated that the decision could be reconsidered following concerns about the proposed change.

According to Afrik-Foot, a proposal to restore the biennial format is expected to be put to a vote at CAF’s next ordinary general assembly in Abuja, Nigeria, on 21 November.

Renard, who previously coached several national teams, is among those advocating for a return to the traditional schedule.

Speaking to Afrik-Foot, the Frenchman said holding the tournament every two years remained the preferred option, arguing that a four-year gap between editions was too long.

“I think returning to holding the Africa Cup of Nations every two years is excellent, and that the tournament should continue as it was in the past,” Renard said.

“Holding the tournament every four years is far too long in my view, but that is my personal opinion.”

DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre has also supported retaining the two-year cycle, saying African football needs the competition to continue under its traditional format.

AFCON is one of the continent’s major international football tournaments, bringing together Africa’s leading national teams every two years under the existing system.

Alongside the proposed change to AFCON, CAF also announced the scrapping of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a competition reserved for players competing in domestic leagues across the continent.

The governing body cited economic viability as the reason for ending CHAN, which provided an international platform for home-based players to represent their countries.

The outcome of the expected vote in Abuja could determine whether AFCON returns to its traditional biennial schedule or proceeds with the four-year cycle announced in 2025.