A biennial AFCON has long been central to African football’s identity. Moving it further apart would create more room in the calendar, but it would also reduce the tournament’s regular presence and change how national teams build their competitive rhythm.
Motsepe’s comments indicate that no scheduling option has been ruled out. The governing body is now weighing whether the proposed structure delivers enough value to justify a significant break from tradition.
The debate is being driven by plans for a CAF Nations League, which has been discussed as a potentially lucrative addition to the international calendar. An annual competition could offer more meaningful fixtures and new commercial opportunities for CAF.
The challenge is avoiding a choice between innovation and the continent’s flagship championship. A Nations League may strengthen the wider programme, but the AFCON remains the event that commands the greatest attention from supporters, players and global audiences.
There are also practical concerns. Clubs already face crowded schedules, while national-team windows must accommodate travel across a vast continent. Adding a new competition without reducing pressure elsewhere could create fresh disputes over player release and preparation time.
Under the earlier plan, AFCON finals were reportedly due in 2027 and 2028, before the competition moved to a longer cycle. Those arrangements now appear open to review, although no final decision has been confirmed.
The next key storyline will be whether CAF formally restores a biennial AFCON or finds a compromise that protects the tournament’s status while allowing the Nations League to develop. For now, Motsepe’s intervention has ensured that the calendar debate is firmly back on the table.