Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae endorses AFCON shift to quadrennial format

Emerse Fae, the Ivory Coast national team manager, has expressed support for hosting the Africa Cup of Nations every four years rather than every two, arguing that this adjustment could enhance the growth of football throughout Africa.

"This could prove beneficial provided we also implement the necessary steps to advance African football," Fae shared with AFP.

Since its inaugural tournament in 1957, the Africa Cup of Nations has typically occurred biennially, yet Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe revealed the upcoming modification just before the current event in Morocco.

Motsepe indicated that following the forthcoming editions scheduled for 2027 and 2028, the competition will align with a four-year cycle, a move that has drawn significant criticism from various African voices who view it as yielding to influences from top European clubs and FIFA.

In its place, he proposed launching an annual African Nations League, modelled after the UEFA Nations League, to provide financial support to national associations.

"Africa is fortunate today with improved facilities, more organised squads, and superior talent, many of whom compete for elite European sides," Fae remarked, having guided the Elephants to victory in the 2024 AFCON.

"Scheduling the AFCON every four years would ensure a premier event every two years alongside the World Cup, though Africa requires an additional high-profile competition such as the proposed Nations League.

"This setup would enable regular matches between powerhouses like Morocco and Senegal annually, or encounters involving Ivory Coast versus Tunisia, and Algeria facing Mali.

"Such an approach would not disadvantage lesser teams, as heavy defeats like 5-0 or 6-0 do little to elevate African football standards.

"Competing against peers of similar calibre with promotion incentives would benefit all participants."

On another note, Fae acknowledged the challenge of defending the AFCON title in the ongoing Moroccan tournament for his squad.

Ivory Coast has already secured progression to the knockout stage ahead of their concluding group match against Gabon on Wednesday.

"Eight or nine teams possess line-ups capable of triumphing, and opponents tend to adapt their strategies against us as defending champions," Fae conceded.

"This intensifies the difficulty, yet our drive to reach the final and our belief in success remain strong."