AFCON to grow as CAF upholds Senegal ruling

Football
CAF Outlines AFCON growth plans and addresses controversial Senegal final
Staff Reporter
  • 12 Hours Ago

CAF president Patrice Motsepe announced on Sunday that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will expand from 24 to 28 teams, while also committing to respect the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling on Senegal’s appeal regarding the January final.

Speaking at a press conference in Cairo after a CAF executive meeting, Motsepe said the expansion reflects CAF’s “commitment to world-class football, with the best African players from all over the world returning to compete on the continent.” He did not, however, clarify how the tournament format will accommodate the additional teams, nor when the change will take effect. The last four AFCON finals featured 24 teams, up from 16 in 2019.

Motsepe also addressed the ongoing Senegal-Morocco dispute. Senegal had initially won 1-0 in the AFCON final, but the result was overturned following an added-time penalty awarded to Morocco. Many Senegalese players and their coaching staff temporarily walked off the pitch in protest. A CAF disciplinary committee later issued fines but did not alter the result. Morocco subsequently appealed and were awarded a 3-0 victory.

“I will respect and implement the CAS decision. My personal opinion regarding the matter is irrelevant,” Motsepe said. He confirmed plans to visit Senegal and Morocco to stress the importance of collaboration in developing African football. CAF is also introducing changes to statutes and regulations to “strengthen trust and confidence in referees, VAR operators, and judicial bodies,” and to prevent incidents like those in the final from recurring.

On tournament planning, Motsepe reiterated CAF’s ambition to expand AFCON, noting that more than half of the 54 member nations could eventually qualify. The 2027 finals are set to proceed in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda with 24 teams – 21 qualifiers joining the three hosts. CAF has already adjusted the qualification format by introducing a preliminary round for the 12 lowest-ranked nations, with six winners advancing to the main qualifying stage.

From 2029, CAF plans to introduce an annual Nations League, culminating in a 16-team final tournament every two years. Motsepe said, “We have to stop this thing of African fixtures not being predictable, consistent and reliable. We must develop football in East Africa, which is an area of much potential.”

Motsepe also announced that Nigeria-born CAF official Samson Adamu will serve as caretaker general secretary, replacing Veron Mosengo-Omba, who has reached the mandatory retirement age of 66.