Motsepe criticised after CAF restores biennial Africa Cup of Nations

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been accused of “political manoeuvring” after reversing its decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations every four years.

CAF’s executive committee voted unanimously last Thursday to restore the tournament’s two-year cycle, less than a year after president Patrice Motsepe announced a move to a four-year schedule.

Motsepe said the decision was driven by the failure of a proposed replacement competition to generate revenues immediately comparable with those produced by the Africa Cup of Nations.

That explanation has drawn criticism from Philippe Doucet, a journalist with Canal+ Sport Afrique. Speaking on the programme Les Grandes Bouches, Doucet accused the CAF president of engaging in “political manoeuvring”.

He said the original decision to change the tournament’s cycle had been made to serve the interests of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who wanted to “court the big European clubs” and attract them to “his” Club World Cup last year.

European clubs had been unhappy about releasing their African international players during the domestic season so they could take part in the continent’s main tournament.

Doucet also claimed that the return to a biennial Africa Cup of Nations was intended to “create a diversion” at a time when Motsepe’s leadership is facing growing opposition.

The journalist referred to an alleged setback involving the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which is due to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda next summer.

According to the report, Moses Magogo Hassim, president of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), said at CAF’s strategic conference in Cape Verde in early October that Uganda could not co-host the tournament alongside Kenya and Tanzania.

Motsepe has continued to state publicly that the 2027 edition will remain in East Africa. However, CAF is reportedly looking privately at alternative arrangements because of delays affecting the three-nation partnership, known as “Pamoja”.

Doucet claimed the CAF president “fears being thrown out unceremoniously while he is seeking the presidency of South Africa”. He suggested that changing position on the Africa Cup of Nations cycle could help Motsepe manage his departure, although Motsepe has denied having an interest in seeking the country’s highest office.

Motsepe has already announced that he does not intend to stand for re-election as CAF president in 2029.