Tom Saintfiet, head coach of the Mali national football team, has criticised the decision to hold the Africa Cup of Nations every four years instead of the traditional two-year cycle, calling it a move imposed on Africa by global football authorities and European clubs motivated by financial interests.
Saintfiet made the remarks on Thursday, December 25, in Rabat ahead of Mali’s Group A clash with hosts Morocco.
“I am very shocked and deeply disappointed. This is the pride of African football, featuring the continent’s best players,” the Belgian coach told reporters.
“To take it away and make it every four years—I could understand if it were Africa’s own decision—but it is all directed by UEFA, the major European clubs, and FIFA, and that makes it so sad,” he added.
The 52-year-old coach, who has previously led several African national teams including Gambia—whom he guided to the quarter-finals of the 2022 AFCON—was appointed Mali coach in August last year. He is set to lead the team in the key Group A match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
The Africa Cup of Nations has largely been held every two years since its inaugural edition in 1957. However, CAF president Patrice Motsepe announced last weekend that the tournament would switch to a four-year cycle after the planned 2028 edition.
Saintfiet expressed frustration over what he sees as disrespect to African football’s history. “We fought for so long to be respected, only to be told by Europe to change our history, which goes back 68 years, all because of financial demands from clubs who claim player workload as an excuse while creating a 48-team World Cup and an expanded Champions League,” he said.
“If you want to protect players, then run the Champions League with only the champions. Don’t add more competitions and more load, and AFCON could still be held every two years,” he added.
He concluded by highlighting Africa’s importance in global football: “Africa is the biggest football continent in the world. Many of the top stars in Europe are African. Changing AFCON to every four years disrespects Africa, and I am very sad. I hoped the love for Africa would outweigh European pressure.”
