CAF President Motsepe defends AFCON move to every four years, rejects FIFA influence

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe is standing by the controversial decision to change the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from a biennial to a quadrennial tournament starting after 2028. The announcement last month drew heavy criticism, with several African football personalities alleging it was a measure forced upon the continent by FIFA, whose president Gianni Infantino had advocated for a four-year cycle six years ago.

Motsepe, speaking at a press conference in Rabat on the eve of the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal, rejected claims of undue influence from Zurich. He acknowledged CAF could have done a better job preparing stakeholders for the shift but emphasized the organization's independence. "We must free ourselves as Africans and have more confidence in ourselves," Motsepe said. "It should not be about FIFA says this or UEFA says this."

The AFCON has traditionally been held every two years because its revenue provided about 80 per cent of CAF's budget. However, Motsepe revealed that the new African Nations League, launching in 2029, is projected to generate significantly more revenue than the current AFCON model. "The revenue of the AFCON is significantly less than the revenue we have generated for the African Nations League," he stated.

CAF will introduce the African Nations League as a new continental competition alongside the four-year AFCON cycle. Motsepe urged stakeholders to trust the process, noting that the full benefits of the decisions will become evident in two to three years.

Will this move allow CAF to secure better revenue and improve African football's sustainability, or is it a premature shift that could diminish the tournament's prestige?

SOURCE: https://guardian.ng/sport/motsepe-rejects-accusation-of-fifa-influence-on-caf-decisions/