Patrice Motsepe hints at AFCON return to two-year cycle after CAF reconsiders format
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has indicated that the organisation is reconsidering its plan to move the Africa Cup of Nations to a four-year cycle, potentially reopening the debate over the tournament’s traditional biennial format.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has opened the door to a possible return to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) being staged every two years, signalling a potential rethink of the controversial decision to move the competition to a four-year cycle.
Motsepe made the remarks during CAF’s Strategy Conference in Cape Verde on Friday, October 9, following discussions about the future of African international football.
The South African businessman indicated that the governing body was reassessing its plans, including the possibility of restoring the tournament’s traditional biennial format. However, he stopped short of announcing a formal reversal of the decision.
The development comes less than a year after CAF confirmed a major restructuring of its senior national team competitions, raising fresh questions about the direction of African football.
CAF’s controversial AFCON calendar change
In December 2025, CAF announced that AFCON would move from its established two-year schedule to a four-year cycle after the 2028 edition.
The proposed change formed part of a broader restructuring intended to improve coordination with the international football calendar. CAF also announced plans to introduce an African Nations League from 2029.
However, the decision attracted criticism over its potential consequences for African football, particularly the opportunities it provides national teams to compete for continental honours.
The tournament has traditionally been held every two years, although scheduling changes have occasionally affected the intervals between editions.
A return to the previous format would preserve more frequent opportunities for countries to compete for the continent’s biggest international football prize.
Motsepe defends CAF’s independence
Beyond the AFCON scheduling debate, Motsepe also pushed back against suggestions that CAF makes decisions primarily to satisfy European football authorities.
He insisted that the confederation’s responsibility was to protect and advance African football’s interests, while acknowledging the importance of maintaining relationships with international governing bodies.
His comments come amid wider discussions about the balance between African competitions and the demands of the global football calendar, particularly as many African internationals play for European clubs.
The scheduling debate is significant because changes to AFCON affect national teams, players, domestic leagues, sponsors and broadcasters.
No final decision announced
Despite the renewed discussions, CAF has yet to confirm whether the four-year format will be abandoned.
The next steps will depend on the confederation’s deliberations and any formal decision by its governing structures.
For now, Motsepe’s comments offer a possible lifeline to supporters of the biennial tournament, but the future of AFCON’s schedule remains unresolved.
