CAF wants nearly 50% of teams at AFCON finals
Mqondisi Dube | Thursday July 20, 2017 14:24
After FIFA introduced a 48-team World Cup starting in 2026, CAF appears keen to follow suit, but the move might prove unpopular as almost half of the teams will qualify for the AFCON finals.
The increase in teams is one of the mooted new introductions, which also include a June/July AFCON tournament.
The changes were discussed at a two-day symposium that ended in Morocco yesterday. After the symposium, CAF will hold an extra ordinary general meeting.
Each of the 55-member association sent its president, secretary general as well as national team coach. The Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Maclean Letshwiti led the Botswana delegation, which also comprised embattled chief executive officer, Ookeditse Malesu and executive committee member, Masego Nchingane.
Also in attendance was a FIFA delegation led by president Gianni Infantino, and general secretary, Fatma Samoura, who was expected to take an active part in the symposium, which also attracted experts from the European football governing body, UEFA.
BFA public relations officer, Tumo Mpatane said it was too early to comment on the envisaged changes. “The symposium will look into a number of issues. Straight after, the 55 member associations will go into a CAF extra ordinary meeting. It’s a decision CAF has to make (regarding 24 teams). It is an issue being discussed at a high level and we can only comment after the discussions,” Mpatane said.