African football, in its eternal search for the perfect calendar (spoiler: it did not find it)
It seems that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided to play an exciting match of Tetris with calendar dates. The big announcement, made with the solemnity of someone revealing a state secret, is that the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), that football festival that we loved every two years, will now be a quadrennial event. Yes, like the Euro Cup. Because what better way to affirm your identity than by imitating your neighbor? To compensate for the loss, they give us a new creature: the League of African Nations. Because the world clearly needed another national team competition.
The architect of this chronological juggling act, CAF president Patrice Motsepeplanning so fluid that it makes the subway of any large city look like a model of Swiss punctuality.
The League of Nations: The solution to all problems or a new problem seeking a solution?
And what do we gain from this mess? Well, according to Motsepe, the wonderful League of African Nations will debut in 2029, involving the 54 member countries, divided into four zones. Matches in September and October, finals in November. “There will be a competition every year where the best African footballers who play in Europe and around the world will be with us on the continent,” he proclaimed. A phrase that, translated from federation language, could mean: “We hope the European clubs don’t get so angry this time.”
The most hilarious (or worrying, depending on your level of cynicism) is that Motsepe himself could not specify when the 2028 AFCON will be played. Because, of course, why spoil the surprise? The scheduling of the continental tournament has been a “constant problem”, a glorious euphemism to describe regular chaos. This year, for example, it was moved so as not to clash with the new FIFA Club World Cup. A date dance that seems choreographed by someone with their shoes tied.
Motsepe, accompanied by the general secretary of FIFA, Mattias Grafström (who described all this as a “historic decision”, because in the world of football everything is), assured that CAF is in “discussions with all our stakeholders.” A process that, we imagine, involves many tables, many coffees and many crumpled calendars thrown into the trash can. Grafström, in a display of realism, said that FIFA would coordinate with the CAF once they decided… well, the dates and place for 2028. Everything is very much on track.
The final justification, that infallible argument, is money. “Because historically AFCON was the main focus where we could get resources to fund African football. In terms of this new arrangement, we will get resources every year,” Motsepe stated. There it is. It’s not about sporting consistency, but about annual cash flow. A thought so pragmatic that it almost borders on poetic. In addition, by the way, another clash with the Club World Cup in 2029 is avoided. Something is something.
In short, African football is entering a new era: less AFCON, more competitions, a calendar that is a puzzle and the promise of seeing the stars more often at home. Will it work? Time, that resource that federations handle with such ease, will tell. Meanwhile, fans can enjoy the spectacle of seeing the leaders try to square the circle. Again.
Are you intrigued by this new continental mess?Share this news on your social networks and debate with other fans whether this is a great goal or an own goal for African football. Explore more content related to the strategies and controversies of the beautiful sport on our website.
