CAF makes AFCON changes after blunder as Benni names Kenya squad for Bafana

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the return of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a two-day cycle.

CAF has beaten a hasty retreat, less than a year after announcing that it was abandoning the tradition of having the tournament after two years, and moving to a four-year cycle.

That decision elicited varied reactions with some fans slamming CAF for copying Europe and singing to FIFA’s tune but it has taken the continental governing body 11 months to realise that they made a blunder.

“The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unanimously decided on Thursday that the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) will once again be held every two years,” CAF announced via a statement.

“CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe announced at the CAF Strategic Conference held in Cape Verde from October 7 to 9, 2026, that the Executive Committee would review the decision taken last year to move the AFCON to a four-year cycle.”

Motsepe explains CAF’s move to two-year cycle

CAF admits that it was hit with the harsh reality that moving away from holding AFCON after two years would leave them in financial ruin.

“This review was motivated in particular by the observation that the proposed new pan-African competition, the Nations League, intended to replace the current AFCON and to be played every two years, would require several years before it could generate the substantial financial resources necessary to allow CAF competitions and African football to be globally competitive and financially self-sufficient,” the statement further stated.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the decision was made after weighing the far-reaching implications of a four-year tournament on African football.

“The decision by the CAF Executive Committee to reinstate the organization of the AFCON every two years aims to advance, protect and promote the interests of African football and the 54 CAF Member Associations, as well as those of African players playing for clubs outside the continent,” said Motsepe.

Next AFCON editions as Benni names squad

“We were also concerned about the number of years it would take for the proposed new pan-African competition, the Nations League, designed to be identical to the current AFCON and to be played every two years, to provide the substantial financial contributions and benefits needed for the development of African football, in order to make CAF competitions globally competitive and financially self-sustaining.”

Consequently, the upcoming 2027 AFCON in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will be followed by another tournament in 2028 before editions in 2031 and 2033.

Bafana Bafana are looking to qualify for the 2027 edition and are in a good position as they lead their group with six points from two games ahead of a double header against Benni McCarthy’s Kenya on November 13 and 17.

McCarthy unveiled his squad for the two matches on Thursday with Richards Bay goalkeeper Ian Otieno among those selected.

Kenya, who are guaranteed an AFCON ticket by virtue of being co-hosts, started their AFCON 2027 qualifiers with a 1-1 draw against Eritrea before losing 1-0 away to Guinea.