The knives are out at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and they’re coming from Africa’s own and those who have worked on the continent.
First, it was a veteran coach, Claude Le Roy, unloading on CAF over its sudden AFCON shake-up.
Then came Egyptian legend Hossam Hassan, blunt and furious, accusing CAF of “destroying African football” and urging the continent to fight back.
Now, the revolt has a new, louder voice in Mali’s widely travelled coach, Tom Saintfiet has gone nuclear.
After CAF confirmed AFCON’s move from a two-year to a four-year cycle, Saintfiet didn’t sugarcoat a thing. “This is not reform. This is surrender.”
ANGRY, DISAPPOINTED, UNAPOLOGETIC
Saintfiet insists AFCON is the pride of African football and should never be bent to fit Europe’s calendar. In his view, this decision doesn’t serve Africa. It serves UEFA, Europe’s elite clubs, and FIFA.
The former Gambia coach stated “I am very shocked, very disappointed. AFCON is the pride of African football. To take it from two to four years, it is all instructed by big people in UEFA, the big clubs from Europe’s top five leagues,”
That anger is spreading across the continent, critics are questioning whether CAF President Patrice Motsepe even has the authority to push through such a monumental change without approval from the CAF General Assembly.
The fear is simple and deep.
Fewer tournaments mean less visibility, less momentum and less power on the global stage.
“AFCON isn’t just a competition; it’s Africa’s loudest football statement. And many believe shrinking its presence weakens the continent’s voice.”
What was sold as “progress” has instead exposed a raw fault line, African football identity versus external influence.
The big questions on the lips of football stakeholders across Africa is CAF safeguarding its future or quietly handing away its soul to Europe’s calendar?
Still others are asking whether the Boss of CAF, Dr. Patrice Motsepe acts alone to please UEFA and FIFA power brokers or did this truly follow due process?
With the strong reactions and criticism that the move has generated, it shows that African football is pushing back. And this fight is only just beginning.
By Maxwell Kumoye
