The Confederation of African Football have confirmed that the continental championship will increase by eight teams

The Confederation of African Football have confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations will be expanded from 16 teams to 24 as of the 2019 edition.

The expansion of the biennial tournament was one of the key issues discussed during the Caf Symposium in Morocco earlier this week, and a statement issued by the Confederation of African Football have confirmed the decisions taken by the working party.

As well as the expansion—the first since 1996—the tournament will be shifted from January-February to June-July, a step which brings the competition further in line with the European football calendar.

However, there are other proposals which have not been passed.

The tournament will remain every two years, rather than switch to every four years, while the Caf statement confirmed that the competition would be played exclusively on African soil, with the possibility of allowing other continents to host the Afcon having been mooted.

The decision is sure to go down well with European clubs and Europe-based players, who will now avoid the regular player vs. club wrangles that affect many of the continent’s overseas players during Afcon years.

However, the decision also raises various unanswered questions.

For example, moving the Nations Cup to June and July would appear to rule out a whole swathe of potential hosts for whom the summer months would be too hot for putting on the continental showpiece.

The expansion also risks diluting the quality of the tournament.

The symposium has also led to changes elsewhere in the continental game; inter-club competitions will shift to an August-May calendar – again a move which aligns the African game with the European calendar – having previously been played within a single calendar year.

There will now be regional qualifiers for age-grade Nations Cups – a move which will doubtless affect West African hegemony of the tournament – while Caf have also vowed to improve international partnerships and strengthen relationships between the confederations, each national association, governments and the African Union.

Finally, Caf have also promised to endorse “the principle of creating a framework for cooperation with legendary African footballers and their greater involvement in CAF activities.”

cc: lalasticlala, mynd44
http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4065/africa/2017/07/20/37211172/caf-confirm-expansion-to-24-team-africa-cup-of-nations

My first FTC after countless attempts.

This victory is insignificant but teaches an important lesson: never give up, you can achieve anything just as I achieved this today. Just persevere, no matter the challenges and obstacles.

Now am off to vie for LTC.

So Buhari will now come baq?

Nice. But let them remove that nonsense clause of planning to host it outside Africa.

hahahaha....dese guys on top me first me type rubbish.kudos!!

To me that development is good for now but the date should remain

Qualification is sure for eagles then

nice one

Nonsense!! Shifting the timing is absolutely nonsense. White assss worshipers

So if south Africa beat us again for the 2nd leg in their home which is certain, hope still dey ??

this is long overdue and when are they going to remove that Cameroonian chairman

edited: Thanks to those that quoted me telling me that the man has already bn removed. I ve bn boycotting all sport news since last year just i got attracted to this news

where is dullard buhari

This is a good and timely development. At least, our beloved country go dey qualify steadily now

Wehdone sirs!!!

seunlayi:
this is long overdue and when are they going to remove that Cameroonian chairman

Haba bros, ure behind time o he has been removed since na, now headed by one Arab Guy. Forgotten his name tho..

At least Nigeria can mark attendance...

So good...

so we dan get hope finally

oblow:
Nigeria will still not qualify

Guy why na

someone just said Nigeria will still not qualify..

seunlayi:
this is long overdue and when are they going to remove that Cameroonian chairman

Hmmmn!


I heard that Okocha is still playing for Bolton

seunlayi:
this is long overdue and when are they going to remove that Cameroonian chairman

it is because of the removal of that same cameroonian chairman that these changes are being effected. That Man is slower than a snail,even more than Baba Go slow in his failing health. This is the change African football has been yearning for......but wait.....does this mean Nigeria could still qualify as best losers

Nt a bad move bt stil feel dey shd change it to every 4 years since dey ve increased d teams to 24.24 team tournament wil become to cumbersome for a 2 year tournament.

Nice one

wow!
Great one!

It means Biafra would get a slot.

expansion to 24or 100 is not he problems,we shudbe diong well in world cupat least reaching semi final

JoNach:


Haba bros, ure behind time o he has been removed since na, now headed by one Arab Guy. Forgotten his name tho..

Admad Admad from Madagascar

Good for African football

JoNach:


Haba bros, ure behind time o he has been removed since na, now headed by one Arab Guy. Forgotten his name tho..

Buhari Ahmad of Madagascar