July 18 – A new future for African football could be about to be plotted if a two-day symposium this week, followed by an extraordinary general assembly, agrees to change the format of the continent’s top regional competition.
Headed by Confederation of African football chief Ahmad Ahmad, the discussions in Rabat will be attended not only by Africa’s top brass but also FIFA president Gianni Infantino and a raft of national coaches.
Initial reports suggest CAF might decide to switch the dates of the African Cup of Nations from January to June – something European clubs have long been pressing for – and also potentially its frequency from every two to every four years.
On Friday, CAF’s executive committee will meet ahead of an extraordinary general assembly involving all member associations.
When Ahmad scored a shock CAF presidential triumph over long-serving Cameroonian Issa Hayatou last March, he vowed to thoroughly review African football. The Morocco gathering is the fulfilment of that promise.
Ahmad’s predeccesor Issa Hayatou consistently rejected moving AFCON to June, but with so many European-based players absent in January and February because of club commitments, there are growing calls for change.
There could also reportedly be alterations to Africa’s prime club competition, the CAF Champions League, with the best clubs automatically being allowed to qualify for the 16-team group stage.
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