CAF and the Erosion of AFCON’s Rotational Hosting Principle
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) appears to have drifted away from its original mandate of promoting football development and unity across Africa through the rotational hosting of its major tournaments and most importantly, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Historically, rotational hosting was designed not only to spread football interest across the continent but also to showcase Africa’s rich cultural diversity, boost tourism and stimulate the economies of host nations. Today, however, it increasingly seems that only one country Morocco matters under the current CAF leadership. One is compelled to ask: hasn’t CAF marketed Morocco enough already?
Gone are the days when CAF operated a clear five-tournament hosting cycle, allowing member countries to know well in advance when they would host AFCON and prepare accordingly. In contrast, recent trends show a recurring pattern where WAFCON and various age-grade tournaments are repeatedly awarded to Morocco. It feels like “Morocco reloaded” at every turn.
What, then, has happened to the established criteria for hosting a senior CAF tournament?
Traditionally, countries were encouraged to grow into hosting responsibilities starting from age-grade competitions and progressing to major tournaments, as Zambia did by hosting the 2017 U-20 AFCON before moving on to CHAN.
This developmental pathway is undermined when one country monopolizes hosting opportunities.
The issue of infrastructure should not be viewed in black-and-white terms. Development is a process. CAF’s responsibility is to give member associations time, guidance, and confidence to build what is required to host tournaments not to concentrate opportunities in a single nation.
If the current FIFA and CAF leadership mindset had prevailed in the 1990s, Nigeria would never have hosted the 1999 FIFA U-20 World Cup, especially considering the power load-shedding challenges at the time. Yet that tournament was successfully staged and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s football growth and international standing.
CAF must reflected deeply and return to its foundational principles. Rotational hosting of AFCON and other major tournaments is not just about fairness but it is about development, inclusion, and the collective progress of African football.
CAF, please return to your original AFCON rotational hosting policy.
©Gesinde Adedeji Amosa Al-Amin fcipdm
