Afcon’s biennial switch cost African governing body deal worth more than $1bn

Change to four-year cycle led to abandonment of 2025 bid Caf has not had long-term financial deal since 2019 A deal worth at least $1bn in secured income over eight years was abandoned by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) because the governing body decided to switch the Africa Cup of Nations from a biennial to a four-yearly event, the Guardian can reveal. On 5 July 2025, the eve of the delayed Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Caf president, Patrice Motsepe, told the G...

By Osasu Obayiuwana