Caf cites need to advance African football and player interests in scheduling change

Caf president Patrice Motsepe has explained that the decision by the executive committee (Exco) to unanimously return the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to two years is in the best interest of African football.

Motsepe announced at the Caf strategy conference in Cabo Verde earlier in the month the exco would be reassessing and reconsidering the decision it took last year for the tournament to take place every four years.

Caf said the reassessment and reconsideration was necessitated by the realisation that the proposed new Africa Nations League Pan-African competition, which was supposed to replace the current Afcon and take place every two years, would require several years to be in position.

“The decision by the Caf exco that the Afcon should take place every two years was based on advancing, protecting and promoting the interest of African football and Caf’s 54 member associations, as well as the interest of African players employed by football clubs outside Africa,” said Motsepe.

The Caf exco’s decision is in the best interest of African football and Caf 54 member associations and will also contribute significantly to the development and growth of football in Africa.

—  Caf president Patrice Motsepe

“We were also concerned by the several years required before the proposed new Africa Nations League Pan-African competition (which was supposed to be identical to the current Afcon and take place every two years) could make the substantial financial and football development contributions for African football and Caf competitions to be globally competitive and self-supporting.

“The next Afcon will take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and I am confident that it will be very successful. The subsequent Afcon’s thereafter will take place in 2028, 2031 and 2033.

“The forthcoming Fifa World Cup will take place in 2030, and in accordance with the Fifa tradition, the final tournament of the Afcon and other confederations’ national team competitions may not take place during the year of the Fifa World Cup.

“The Afcon competition is also about celebrating African football and Africa’s rich and diverse cultures, customs and traditions and bringing people together from Africa’s 54 countries, the African diaspora, and throughout the world.

“The Caf Exco’s decision is in the best interest of African football and Caf 54 member associations and will also contribute significantly to the development and growth of football in Africa.”