OPINION: 6 tournament postponements in a decade: Is CAF losing control of its calendar?

CAF has postponed or cancelled at least six major tournaments since 2015, a worrying trend that smacks of a confederation that is fast losing control of its own calendar…

For a 24-hour period, Ghana’s women’s national team found itself stranded in the city of Sharjah, as thuds of artillery thundered close to their hotel in the wake of the war between Iran and Israel-USA.

It’s a situation that should never have happened, considering that the UAE was a safe destination when the Black Queens arrived in the Asian country for the 2026 Pink Ladies Cup, as part of their preparations for the 2026 WAFCON.

But Kim Lars Bjorkegren and his girls bore the brunt of a war that they were never a part of… in a country they’d not have been in, if they didn’t have a WAFCON to prepare for. The days leading to their evacuation were traumatic, but the team endured, with their eyes firmly set on returning from that camp fully prepared for the tournament.

That’s why the postponement of the WAFCON, 12 days before the tournament kicked off in Morocco, was bitterly disappointing for many. In a statement, CAF said the tournament, which doubles up as a qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, was being moved to July due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

For years, the typical club vs country row over releasing players has waged on but the blow is often softened with a clear calendar that allows these clubs to prepare for life without their key players for a few weeks.

What CAF has done – springing up a postponement of the WAFCON on clubs that have already released their players for international duty – breaks that trust and risks shifting clubs towards a more hardened stance in the future.

South Africa’s head coach Desiree Ellis described CAF’s decision to postpone the WAFCON as “not fair”, adding, “Would this be happening with the men’s game?”

Nigeria defender Ashley Plumptre said it was “disrespectful” while Black Queens head coach Bjorkegren noted his disappointment after “planning for it [the tournament] for a long time.”

Then there are the hapless journalists and newsrooms, whose plans, flight tickets, hotel reservations and other investments into the coverage of the WAFCON have been thrown into disarray as a result of CAF’s abrupt decision. Where do they go from here?

All the above begs one question: Is CAF gradually losing control of its calendar?

The 2026 WAFCON was the sixth major tournament postponed by CAF in the last decade. Before that, there was the 2024 WAFCON, which was moved 12 months ahead and the 2020 WAFCON, which was cancelled altogether following host DR Congo’s withdrawal.

Even worse, the last three editions of the AFCON (2021, 2023 and 2025) all got rescheduled to a later date. The 2025 edition, in particular, was moved from June/July to December 2025 to January 2026 to avoid clashing with the FIFA Club World Cup.

By contrast, the CONCACAF Gold Cup was held concurrently with the FIFA Club World Cup, despite the USA hosting both competitions. Look away, CAF!

The CAF U-20 AFCON and the CAF U-17 AFCON have also faced rescheduling in recent years due to logistical challenges and host withdrawals. These youth tournaments are crucial pathways for emerging talent and disruptions at this level have ripple effects on the fledgling careers of these young players.

For a confederation responsible for the growth and global competitiveness of African football, consistency in planning is essential. Yet over the last decade, CAF’s calendar has been repeatedly disrupted by tournament postponements and cancellations.

While each postponement has had its own justification – ranging from global crises to infrastructure concerns – the pattern has raised difficult questions about planning, governance and the long-term credibility of African football’s governing body.

National teams often plan training camps and scouting cycles months in advance. When a competition moves, coaches must recalibrate player availability, especially for footballers based in Europe or Asia whose clubs may resist releasing them outside official windows.

African football continues to grow in talent, popularity and global influence. Stars emerging from the continent are reshaping the game worldwide and fan interest remains immense.

But as CAF pushes to elevate its competitions, consistency should be key too. A stable calendar does more than keep tournaments on track – it reinforces credibility with broadcasters, sponsors, clubs and supporters.

After a decade marked by six postponements, the onus lies with CAF to ensure that African football’s biggest tournaments are held on schedule. At the moment, though, it’s looking like a confederation that has lost control of its own calendar and autonomy, and is constantly kowtowing to suit other powers.

Source: Emmanuel Ayamga/SportyFM Ghana