Africa Cup of Nations moved to every four years
CAF President Patrice Motsepe addresses a press conference on September 16 in Nairobi after leading an inspection team to Kenya.
Rabat,
The Africa Cup of Nations will in future be held every four years instead of every two years, the Confederation of African Football said on Saturday.
The surprise decision was made at the organisation’s executive committee meeting in the Moroccan capital and announced at a press conference by CAF President Patrice Motsepe.
The tournament, which brings in an estimated 80% of CAF’s revenue, has traditionally been held every two years since its inception in 1957.
Sunday marks the start of the 35th edition, hosted in Morocco with the home team taking on Comoros.
The tournament has taken place every two years since 1968, with a one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions.
But the tournament will switch to a four-year cycle after the 2027 Afcon in East Africa and a 2028 edition.
Motsepe has instead announced the creation of an African Nations League which will take place annually from 2029.
"We have the most exciting new structure for African football," Motsepe said.
