Ivory Coast coach Herv Renard has backed a return to the Africa Cup of Nations being held every two years, amid growing opposition to plans to move the tournament to a four-year cycle.The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced in December 2025 that the competition would be staged every four years from the 2028 edition, a decision that prompted criticism from officials and fans across the continent.However, CAF president Patrice Motsepe has indicated that the governing body could reconsider the change, reopening the debate over the tournament’s future format.According to Afrik-Foot, a proposal to restore the biennial schedule is expected to be put to a vote at CAF’s ordinary general assembly in Abuja, Nigeria, on 21 November.Renard, who previously managed several national teams, believes retaining the traditional two-year cycle would be more appropriate for African football.Speaking to Afrik-Foot, the French coach said: “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.”DR Congo coach Sbastien Desabre has also supported a return to the previous format, arguing that the competition should continue to be held every two years.The proposed change to the AFCON schedule came alongside CAF’s decision to discontinue the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a tournament reserved for players competing in domestic leagues across the continent.CAF cited economic viability as a reason for ending CHAN, which provided a platform for locally based players to represent their countries.The debate over AFCON’s frequency is now expected to feature prominently at the governing body’s November assembly, where member associations could decide whether to retain the four-year cycle or restore the traditional biennial format.
