Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet has criticised the decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations every four years instead of the traditional two-year cycle, saying the change was driven by FIFA and European clubs focused on financial interests.
Speaking to reporters in Rabat on Thursday ahead of Mali’s Group A match against Morocco, Saintfiet said he was disappointed by the move, which he believes undermines African football.
“I am very shocked and very disappointed,” the Belgian coach said. “This competition is the pride of African football and features the best African players. Changing it to every four years is not something that came from Africa, but from UEFA, big European clubs and FIFA, and that is what makes it sad.”
Saintfiet, 52, has previously coached several African national teams, including Gambia, whom he guided to the quarter-finals of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations. He was appointed Mali coach in August last year and is set to lead the team against tournament hosts Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The Africa Cup of Nations has been held largely every two years since its first edition in 1957. However, Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe announced last weekend that the tournament will move to a four-year cycle after the planned 2028 edition.
“We fought for so long to be respected,” Saintfiet said. “To then change a history that goes back 68 years because of financial demands from clubs is very disappointing. They talk about player workload, yet they expand the World Cup to 48 teams and create a Champions League with teams that are not champions.”
He added that concerns about player welfare would be better addressed by reducing the number of competitions rather than cutting back on AFCON.
“Africa is the biggest football continent in the world, and many of the biggest stars in Europe are African,” Saintfiet said. “Moving AFCON to every four years is a sign of disrespect. I am very sad about it and hoped that the love for Africa would outweigh the pressure from Europe.”
