Egypt Coach Hossam Hassan criticises CAF decisions to move AFCON to every four years

By: Bernard Nyankomago Kwasi

Former Egyptian forward and now coach of the Pharaoh’s of Egypt, Hossam Hassan is not happy at all with the new format from CAF which will see the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) being held every four years.

“I am completely against the four-year cycle, which is clearly designed to accommodate European clubs and professional players. Can CAF change the format of the European Championship? Of course not.

“​I am not satisfied with this decision at all. As an African and Egyptian former player, I believe these tournaments are being tailored to suit European clubs. There must be a strong stance from African national teams against CAF” he told the press in Morocco where he is currently leading Egypt in the ongoing AFCON.

The Africa Cup of Nations has been a two-year tournament since its inception in 1957. After the 2012 edition, CAF changed the years from even to odd number in order not to coincide with the FIFA World Cup calender.

With just some few weeks to the commencement of the 2025 AFCON, CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced that the executives of CAF have revised their decision to play the continent’s flagship competition every two years.

This has not gone down well with most fans, past footballers, football administrators and coaches including legendary Hossam Hassan.