Senegalese journalist Mansour Loum said on Canal+ Sport Afrique that CAF has turned into an “adjustment variable” in the duel between FIFA and UEFA, after AFCON’s return to a biennial rhythm.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe and the body may have confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations will remain every two years, but the episode leaves its mark. Speaking on Canal+ Sport Afrique, Senegalese journalist Mansour Loum launched a no-holds-barred attack on how the decision was taken, at the end of an Executive Committee meeting in Cairo, Afrique Monde reports.
In his view, the problem goes beyond the calendar alone: it touches the very status of the continental confederation. “I get the impression that CAF has become the armed wing of the war between FIFA and UEFA,” he said.
A U-turn that goes down badly
In December 2025, the switch of AFCON to a four-yearly rhythm had been announced, presented as an economic necessity. A few months later, CAF reverted to the biennial format, without the announced changes having, according to the journalist, been approved by the Executive Committee. Several members of that body are said to have complained about it, according to information from Afrique Monde relayed on the channel.
“CAF has therefore become the adjustment variable in relation to this war that FIFA and UEFA are waging,” Mansour Loum continues. The harshest line remains the following: “AFCON is homeless, without a fixed date,” he sums up.
The economic argument abandoned
The shift raises even more questions because the reform had been justified on financial grounds. It is this argument that the Canal+ Sport Afrique journalist now considers abandoned.
For his part, Patrice Motsepe defends the choice of the biennial format. “The decision was based on advancing, protecting and promoting the interest of African football and CAF’s 54 member associations, as well as the interest of African players employed by football clubs outside Africa,” said the CAF president, quoted by AllAfrica. According to the official, keeping AFCON every two years also avoids waiting several years before reaping the financial benefits of the African Nations League.
The AFCON 2025 dispute in the background
These debates are also taking place against the backdrop of the dispute over AFCON 2025. Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the final in Rabat on 18 January 2026, before CAF awarded the title to Morocco in March. Senegal is contesting that decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The three CAS judges heard the evidence on 8 October, according to AllAfrica. Their decision has not yet been delivered: it is awaited on the awarding of the title between Senegal and Morocco.