Confederation of African Football president Ahmad Ahmad has confirmed that a new format and timing is being sought for the African Nations Cup as the game on the continent began a two-day symposium on Tuesday to discuss its future.
Moving the Nations Cup finals to a date in June where it will no longer clash with the European club season is one recommendation that could be passed‚ as well as a possible expansion of the tournament to 24 teams.
The frequency of the Nations Cup will be discussed too but holding it every two years rather than every four years means more money for African football and more competitive games for the continent’s national teams.
“That is the first thing to talk about. We can’t get away from it. We have already had a lot of suggestions‚” he said as more than 200 delegates gathered for the discussions in the Moroccan capital.
“We also want to talk about the club competitions.Africa has it particularities‚ like the great distances our clubs have to travel. Clubs having to travel via Europe to play games is folly. We need solutions”
The symposium opened with formal addresses but split into workshops in the afternoon to discuss various aspects of the African game.
