Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Patrice Motsepe says recent changes are for positive restructuring of the game on the continent, but such alterations will always spark mixed and raw emotions from lovers of the sport across Africa.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has sparked intense debate by announcing that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will move to a four-year cycle after 2027.
The decision, revealed in Rabat ahead of the 2025 tournament kickoff, marks a radical departure from the traditional biennial format.
While Motsepe describes the reforms as “positive restructuring,” the move has divided fans, with many skeptical of the sudden change to the continent’s most prestigious competition.
Supporters of the reform argue that aligning AFCON with the global four-year calendar will resolve long-standing “club versus country battles” with European teams.
They believe the shift, alongside a new African Nations League, will protect players from exhausting schedules and boost commercial revenue.
Proponents suggest that repositioning the tournament to avoid overlapping with active European leagues will grant African football greater global reach and respect from international broadcasters and clubs alike.
Critics, however, fear that CAF is being “pulled by the nose” by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to prioritize European interests.
Detractors argue that African football should not feel obligated to mirror the UEFA Euros or Copa América.
There are also concerns that the proposed Nations League will allow larger nations to dominate smaller ones, further marginalizing developing football programs.
As the debate continues, the African football community remains split on whether these reforms will truly benefit the continent.