adminCaf Secretary General Hicham Al Amrani has clarified that the African football body will not change the Africa Cup of Nations format of 16 teams.
Fifa recently made proposals to increase teams at the World Cup to 48 in 2026 but, speaking to supersport.com, Al Amrani reiterated that Caf was comfortable with the current format which encourages competition.
“We feel that 16 teams is a great format with a fair and consistent approach. We have no plans of changing it despite Fifa making suggestions on the 2026 World Cup. The current format makes the fight for places more interesting and the principal for rotating the tournament around the continent more interesting,” Al Amrani told supersport.com in Libreville.
Al Amrani added that he was confident that the tournament would be a success despite reports that Gabon opposition was planning to disrupt the competition.
“We are aware of the situation on the ground We are confident things will go on smoothly as the local organising committee has put everything in place.
We have heard about the same sentiments but as usual we have other contingency plans like we do in all competitions.”
Meanwhile, today’s Afcon 2017 opening ceremony will be graced by Guinea Bissau president Jose Mario Vaz and his Gabon counterpart Ali Bongo Ondimba.
— supersport.com
Online Reporter