CAF executive members oppose AFCON 2-year arrangement

Two members of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee, Ahmed Yahya of Mauritania and Souleiman Waberi of Djibouti, have reportedly opposed the organisation of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every two years.

According to report, Yahya, president of the Mauritanian Football Federation, and Waberi, president of the Djibouti Football Federation, have expressed reservations about the biennial format of Africa’s flagship football tournament.

Their reported position comes amid ongoing discussions about the future structure and frequency of AFCON, which has traditionally been held every two years.

The development could add to the debate over how the competition should be organised as African football continues to evolve and stakeholders consider the tournament’s place in the international football calendar.

Opposition to biennial format

AFCON is one of the continent’s major international sporting competitions, bringing together national teams from across Africa to compete for the continental title.

The tournament’s traditional two-year cycle has made it a regular feature of the international football calendar, providing participating countries with opportunities to compete for continental honours.

However, the reported opposition from Yahya and Waberi signals disagreement among some CAF executive committee members over maintaining the existing arrangement.

The report did not disclose the specific reasons behind the two officials’ opposition or outline an alternative schedule they might favour.

It also remains unclear whether their position represents a wider movement within CAF or whether other members of the executive committee share their views.

Waberi’s position attracts attention

Waberi’s reported stance is particularly notable amid claims that he had been removed from his position by the general assembly of the Djibouti Football Federation.

However, details surrounding the reported removal and its implications for his role within CAF were not provided in the report.

Yahya, meanwhile, heads the Mauritanian Football Federation and serves on CAF’s Executive Committee.

Both officials are influential figures within their respective national football administrations, although the extent to which their reported opposition could affect future decisions on AFCON remains uncertain.

CAF position remains unclear

The reported disagreement comes as questions continue over the competition’s future format and scheduling.

Any change to the frequency of AFCON would have implications for national football associations, participating teams and the organisation of international competitions.

However, the report did not indicate whether CAF had formally considered a proposal to change the tournament’s schedule or whether the views attributed to Yahya and Waberi had been presented through an official process.

CAF’s official position on the matter also remains unclear, while further details about the discussions and the positions of other executive committee members have yet to emerge.

For now, the reported opposition by the two officials adds another dimension to the debate over the future organisation of African football’s premier national-team competition.