Philippe Doucet, a journalist at Canal+ Sport Afrique, accuses Patrice Motsepe, president of the CAF, of “political politicking” after the return of the AFCON to a biennial cycle. The South African official has denied eyeing his country’s presidency.
Less than a year after announcing a move to a four-yearly frequency, the CAF Executive Committee voted unanimously to return to the biennial rhythm, according to afrik-foot. A decision made official in a statement, which has already drawn criticism from a journalist.
Philippe Doucet, a journalist at Canal+ Sport Afrique, denounces in the columns of afrik-foot the motives attributed to the head of the CAF. He sees “political politicking” in it and believes the initial change of cycle was aimed at satisfying Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, as well as the big European clubs. The attack comes as the co-hosting of the 2027 edition raises questions behind the scenes.
A deliberate about-face
To justify this reversal, Patrice Motsepe put forward an economic argument: the inability of a substitute competition to immediately generate revenue comparable to that of the AFCON, according to afrik-foot. In a statement, the CAF president said the decision aims to “strengthen, protect and support the interests of African football, of the 54 member associations and of African professional players plying their trade at clubs outside the continent”, report arabkhabar and Al-Nilin.
An accusation of diversion
Philippe Doucet goes further than political criticism. According to him, this U-turn also serves to “create a diversion” while Motsepe’s presidency is increasingly contested. He even claims the South African official is “afraid of being booted out like a tramp when he is aiming for the presidency of South Africa”.
An ambition the man himself has denied: Motsepe has dismissed any interest in his country’s highest office and has already announced his intention not to stand again at the head of the CAF in 2029.
The “Pamoja” trio in the crosshairs
Doucet’s criticisms come as preparations for AFCON 2027 raise questions. According to afrik-foot, Moses Magogo Hassim, president of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), reportedly announced in early October, at the CAF strategic conference held in Cape Verde, that his country could not co-host the tournament with Kenya and Tanzania.
The CAF is reportedly seeking replacement solutions in private in the face of the delays accumulated by the “Pamoja” trio, again according to afrik-foot. The next AFCON is nonetheless scheduled for 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, followed by the 2028, 2031 and 2033 editions. No AFCON will be held in 2030, however, a World Cup year, in line with FIFA tradition.