SUPER Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has thrown his weight behind calls to restore the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to its traditional two-year cycle, describing the format as crucial to the development of African football.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the Franco-Malian tactician believes staging the continent’s biggest football tournament every two years would give African nations more opportunities to improve, develop players and compete against top opposition, ultimately strengthening their competitiveness on the international stage.
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“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,” Chelle told SABC Sport.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had previously announced plans to move AFCON to a four-year cycle. However, CAF president Patrice Motsepe has recently indicated that the decision could be reviewed, reopening the debate over the competition’s future and the potential implications for African football.
Chelle, who coached Mali at the 2023 AFCON before taking charge of Nigeria at the 2025 edition, insists that holding the tournament more frequently would help African teams close the competitive gap with their international rivals.
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“We can grow together; we will play two big tournaments instead of the other nations playing one tournament,” he added.
The Super Eagles boss also stressed the importance of regular, high-level international competition in preparing African sides for the FIFA World Cup.
According to Chelle, a biennial AFCON would provide valuable experience for participating nations while helping teams sharpen their tactical and technical abilities ahead of major international competitions.
Beyond the pitch, Chelle highlighted the potential economic benefits of hosting the tournament more frequently, pointing to opportunities to attract tourists, boost business activities and generate revenue for host nations.
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With CAF reconsidering its position on the tournament’s schedule, Chelle’s endorsement adds weight to the growing debate over AFCON’s future.
The Nigeria coach remains convinced that returning to a two-year cycle would give African football a stronger platform to grow, improve competitiveness and create further opportunities for both players and host countries.
