Mali’s national football coach, Belgian Tom Saintfiet (52), criticized the decision to hold the Africa Cup of Nations every four years instead of every two, saying that this decision was imposed by FIFA, UEFA and European clubs.
The African Football Federation (CAF) announced a few days ago that it will the African championship will be held every four years in the futureinstead of the current rhythm of every two years.
Since 1957, when the first edition was held, the Cup of Nations has been held every two years and brought in almost 80 percent of the total income of the African Football Organization. However, after the 2028 tournament, the continental tournament will be played every four years.
I am shocked and very disappointed. That’s it the pride of African footballwith the best players in African football. To abolish it and make a tournament every four years, I could understand if it was a request for any reason from Africa, but it is all ordered by big people from UEFA, big European clubs, and FIFA. That’s so sad, said the Belgian expert who has been leading Mali since August last year.
During his coaching career, he also coached Gambia, Ethiopia, Philippines, Malta, Togo, Zimbabwe, Namibia…
We have fought for respect for so long, to then listened to Europe to change historybecause this is a history that goes back 68 years and only because of the financial demands of the clubs who use the player load as an excuse while creating a 48-team World Cup, a Champions League without a championsaid Saintfiet.
If you want to protect the players, then you play Champions League only with champions. You don’t create more competition with higher workloads. Then you can still play AFCON every two years. Africa is the biggest soccer continent in the world, all the big stars in Europe are African, so I think we disrespect Africa by going every four yearshe said.
Morocco is currently hosting the 35th edition of the African Cup of Nations. Mali drew with Zambia (1-1) in the first round of Group A.
(Hina | Photo: X)
