AFCON: Mali coach Saintfiet slams CAF for changing calendar

Mali national team head coach Tom Saintfiet has openly criticised Confederation of African Football (CAF) on their decision to change the calendar of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) currently going on in Morocco.

According to CAF President Patrice Motsepe, AFCON will now be held every four years after the 2028 edition, marking one of the most significant changes to African football in decades.

Motsepe made the surprise announcement after a meeting of CAF’s executive committee in Morocco, just days before the start of the 2025 edition. He described the decision as part of a broader restructuring aimed at modernising African football and easing long-standing tensions with the global football calendar.

‘We disrespect [Africa] by going to four years’

“I’m shocked with it, very disappointed,” Saintfiet said as quoted by ESPN. “It’s all instructed by the big people in UEFA, the big clubs from the five leagues, and also by FIFA…and that makes me so sad.

“We fight so long to get respected in Africa, for African people and Africa’s own identity to get respected, but then to listen to Europe to change your history, a 68-year history, for financial reasons…I think we disrespect [Africa] by going to four years.”

He added: “I’m sad about that, and I hope the love for Africa would win out over the pressure of Europe.”

The Mali coach continued: “Africa is the world’s biggest football continent, given the passion of the players, the quality of the players, the big African stars in Europe.

“It’s the pride of African football, the best players from Africa, the best players in Europe come together, and it’s a celebration of fans. It’s the honour and the glory of African football, but to take it away and go to four years…I could understand if it was a question from Africa, a request from Africa, if, for whatever reason, it was needed by African players, the federations, or CAF.”

Mali kicked off their campaign in Morocco with a 1-1 draw against Zambia. They will return to action on boxing day to face Morocco at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

⚽ Follow Pan-Africa Football across platforms for real-time news and stories.