Patrice Motsepe walked back one of his own decisions on Friday. Less than three months after announcing the Africa Cup of Nations would shift to a four-year cycle from 2028, the CAF president confirmed the biennial format is under active reconsideration — and made clear he doesn't care what FIFA or UEFA think about it.
"The AFCON — because this is one of the issues we're talking about — we took a decision as Africa because there were lots of issues, but I can guarantee you we have discussed it over the last few days to say we are looking at everything, including having the AFCON coming back every two years," Motsepe said at CAF's strategy conference in Cape Verde. "We're very clear."
That's a significant U-turn. December's announcement drew sharp criticism from within African football, with many arguing the four-year switch was designed to fit European club schedules at the expense of African interests. Motsepe, who is also a FIFA vice-president, called those characterizations "nonsense, absolute rubbish." "My No. 1 job, my No. 1 duty is to protect, promote, and advance the interests of Africa," he said.
What this actually means for AFCON betting markets
A return to a two-year cycle reshapes the competitive picture considerably. Biennial tournaments keep momentum shorter between cycles, meaning squad transitions matter less — nations that struggle to rebuild over four years gain back an advantage. The qualifying picture, host nation bids, and preparation windows all change.
For anyone pricing AFCON futures or qualification markets, nothing is locked in yet. "Looking at everything" is not a confirmed policy shift. Motsepe said it, but CAF still needs to formally reverse a decision that was, according to him, taken unanimously.
2027 AFCON is still on — don't write it off yet
Motsepe also pushed back against reports — circulating particularly in French media — that the 2027 tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda is in trouble due to construction delays. He remained defiant: "You have to believe in Africa. There will be problems, there will be failures, fine, but we will be there."
Whether that confidence is warranted or optimistic spin is a separate question. What's clear is that CAF under Motsepe is in a reactive moment — reconsidering the four-year decision under public pressure, defending a 2027 host trio facing scrutiny, and doing all of it from a conference where they also unanimously backed an embattled FIFA president. A lot of political ground to cover in three days in Cape Verde.
