Is holding Afcon every four years 'totally wrong' or 'good call'?

"After a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations which delivered more goals than ever before but saw controversy mar the final, fans can look forward to two more editions in quick succession in 2027 and 2028 - even if the exact dates of those tournaments, and who will host the latter, are yet to be announced. After that Afcon will be hosted every four years instead of biennially. Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Patrice Motespe dropped that bombshell on the eve of the recently completed finals in Morocco, as well as announcing the creation of a new African Nations League which will be introduced in 2029 and played annually."

"The decision was made after consultation with world governing body Fifa and the announcement sparked division and debate, with Mali coach Tom Saintfiet labelling it "totally wrong". However, Motsepe has doubled down, stating that Caf is "convinced" the decision is in "the best interests of African football". He also believes the Nations League will provide a "better competition" than Afcon."

"Fifa president Gianni Infantino first publicly proposed holding Afcon every four years in February 2020, an idea Motsepe rejected after he was elected as Caf president 13 months later. "This is one area where there are different views among different people - I have no doubt it [Afcon] has to be every two years," Motsepe said then. One respected former manager, with extensive experience across the continent, said Infantino "wants to kill African football"."

After a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations that delivered more goals but ended with a controversial final, two further editions are scheduled in 2027 and 2028, with dates and the 2028 host still undecided. After 2028, Afcon will move from a biennial to a quadrennial format. Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe announced the change and unveiled a new annual African Nations League starting in 2029. The decision followed consultation with FIFA and prompted debate and criticism from some coaches and former managers. Motsepe defended the changes as in the best interests of African football and as aiding global calendar synchronization.

Read at www.bbc.com