Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe is facing mounting pressure over his leadership following a controversial reversal of plans to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years.
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According to The Guardian, the decision has fuelled distrust among African football officials and renewed speculation about potential challengers to Motsepe, including Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto’o.
CAF announced in December 2025 that AFCON would move from its traditional two-year cycle to a four-year schedule after the 2028 edition. The change was intended to align the tournament more closely with the international football calendar and reduce clashes with European club competitions.
However, the decision drew criticism over the extent to which national football associations were consulted. In a separate report published in January, The Guardian reported that several federation presidents said they had not been informed before the change was announced.
One unnamed federation president told the newspaper: “The decision was already made.”
Interests of Africa
The controversy intensified on 9 October, when Motsepe confirmed that CAF was reconsidering the four-year format and could return to holding AFCON every two years.
According to Reuters, Motsepe made the announcement during a CAF strategy conference in Cape Verde, signalling a potential reversal less than a year after the original decision.
Motsepe defended CAF’s independence amid suggestions that the change had favoured European football interests.
“My No. 1 job, my No. 1 duty is to protect, promote, and advance the interests of Africa,” he said, according to the Associated Press report published by The Washington Post.
He also rejected claims that CAF was being directed by football’s international governing body, FIFA, or the European governing body, UEFA, describing such suggestions as “nonsense, absolute rubbish”.
Also see: Motsepe breaks silence as AFCON 2025 final controversy reshapes African football
Future of Patrice Motsepe’s presidency
The leadership dispute comes as attention turns to the future of Motsepe’s presidency and the influence of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, whose support among African football associations could become significant in the political manoeuvring surrounding football governance.
The Guardian’s latest report identifies Eto’o as a potential rival, although the emergence of possible challengers does not in itself confirm a formal contest for the CAF presidency.
Meanwhile, Motsepe has reaffirmed that the 2027 AFCON will proceed as planned in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, despite concerns over preparations.
As CAF weighs its options on the tournament’s future, the organisation faces the challenge of restoring confidence among its member associations while balancing the competition’s financial sustainability, players’ interests and the broader development of African football.
Featured image: Gallo Images/Zamani Makautsi
Originally published by African Insider.
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