Patrice Motsepe pushes for swift progress on proposed African Nations League

Patrice Motsepe is seeking to accelerate plans for an African Nations League, with the CAF president reportedly establishing an “d’urgence et exceptionnel” committee to finalise the details of the proposed competition.

The South African has held a series of meetings in recent days about the tournament, which was initially expected to begin in 2029, according to information reported by WinWin.

Motsepe is understood to have asked CAF’s Executive Committee to speed up the process. The organisation must now settle three key issues: the competition’s format, a clear timetable for its launch and how it can be incorporated permanently into the continental football calendar.

Several members of the Executive Committee have already submitted proposals for consideration. Samuel Eto’o is also reported to have put forward ideas, with all the suggestions now expected to be reviewed by the newly established committee.

The biggest challenge remains finding a suitable place for the tournament in an already crowded schedule.

CAF has recently decided to stage the Africa Cup of Nations less frequently in the longer term, partly to create space for the proposed Nations League between editions of the continental championship.

However, the calendar currently being considered includes two successive editions of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027 and 2028, leaving limited room for a new international competition.

Motsepe is therefore examining several possible scenarios before deciding when the African Nations League could begin.

The project forms part of a wider review of African football’s competition structure. The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations is scheduled to take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July.

CAF has also set dates for a number of youth, futsal and beach soccer competitions in 2026 and 2027. In addition, the governing body is studying the possible creation of a women’s Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite the wider programme of changes, the African Nations League now appears to be one of Motsepe’s leading priorities.

The competition’s final structure has yet to be decided and no launch date has been confirmed. But the latest discussions suggest the CAF president wants to move beyond considering the concept and begin putting it into operation.

Louis Mukoma Fargues