Renard agrees with Chelle on AFCON two-year cycle

Eric Chelle. Photo: Super Eagles

Ivory Coast head coach Hervé Renard has joined Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle in calling for the Africa Cup of Nations to return to a two-year cycle, saying a four-year gap between tournaments is too long.

The debate began after the Confederation of African Football announced in December 2025 that AFCON would move to a four-year cycle from 2028. The decision drew criticism from federation officials and supporters, who feared it would weaken the tournament’s place in the calendar.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe has since indicated that the decision could be reviewed. A proposal to restore the biennial format is expected to be considered at CAF’s next Ordinary General Assembly on November 21 in Abuja.

Renard told Afrik-Foot that the tournament should go back to how it was.

“I think returning to holding the Africa Cup of Nations every two years is excellent, and that the tournament should continue as it was in the past.

“Holding the tournament every four years is far too long in my view, but that is my personal opinion.”

Democratic Republic of Congo head coach Sébastien Desabre has also backed the biennial format.

Chelle made a similar case last week. The Franco-Malian, who coached Mali at the 2023 AFCON before leading Nigeria at the 2025 edition, said more regular tournaments help teams grow.

“For me, it’s perfect because when you want to improve, having one tournament every four years is difficult. So, having a tournament every two years now is perfect, so we can continue to improve,” he told SABC Sport.

“We can grow together; we will play two big tournaments instead of the other nations playing one tournament,” he added.

Chelle said regular high-level competition would also prepare African sides for the FIFA World Cup, and he pointed to the economic benefits of hosting more often, including tourism, business and revenue for host nations.

CAF’s restructuring also came with the cancellation of the African Nations Championship, a competition for home-based players, which the body blamed on its economic viability.