By Joseph Edeh
Patrice Motsepe, President, Confederation of African Football (CAF), has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held every four years, after the 2027 edition to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Motsepe made the announcement after a CAF Executive Committee meeting on Saturday in Rabat, ahead of the 35th AFCON scheduled to kick off on Sunday in Morocco.
Hosts Morocco are set to face the Comoros national team in the group A opening match of the tournament in Rabat.
Morocco are ranked 11th in the world, the highest-ranked African nation, while Comoros are ranked 108th.
Comoros are appearing in the tournament for the second time, having made their debut at the 2021 edition hosted by Cameroon.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AFCON has been held every two years since 1968, except for a one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions.
Motsepe, who also announced an increase in prize money for the AFCON winners from seven million dollars to 10 million dollars, said an annual African Nations League would commence from 2029 to fill the gap created by the new four-year cycle.
“Historically, the Nations Cup was the prime resource for us, but now we will have financial resources every year,” he said.
He described the new structure as exciting, noting that it would contribute to CAF’s sustainable financial independence and ensure better synchronisation with the FIFA calendar.
NAN reports that CAF had previously opposed a four-year AFCON cycle proposed by FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, due to the significant revenue the tournament generates for the federation.
CAF has also long been at odds with European clubs over the timing of AFCON, which traditionally takes place in the middle of the European football season.
“We have the most exciting new structure for African football.
“I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised,” Motsepe said.
Motsepe said the decision was taken in consultation with Infantino and FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström.
He explained that the African Nations League would feature all 54 CAF member associations, divided into four zones: six nations in the Northern zone, and 16 nations each in the Eastern, Western and Central, as well as Southern zones.
According to him, the league will be “the equivalent of an AFCON every year” and would be organised in partnership with FIFA to attract top-class sponsors.
“Every year in Africa, the best African players who play in Europe will be with us on the continent.
“Every year, we will have a competition involving 54 African nations with all the best players coming to play.
“We are going to have a world-class competition every year,” he added.(NAN)(wwww.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
