Tom Saintfiet, the head coach of the Mali national football team, has launched a scathing attack on global football authorities. He condemned the recent decision to shift the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from its traditional two-year cycle to a four-year format.
A Decision Imposed from Outside Africa
The Belgian tactician expressed his profound disappointment, labelling the move as one forced upon Africa by external powers. He spoke out on Thursday, December 25, in Rabat, just before Mali's crucial AFCON Group A match against hosts Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
"I am very shocked with it and very disappointed," Saintfiet told reporters. "It is the pride of African football, with the best players in African football." He argued that the change was not an African request but an instruction from European football's elite.
Defending 68 Years of Football History
Saintfiet, a 52-year-old with extensive experience coaching African sides like The Gambia, pointed to the tournament's long history. The AFCON has been held mostly every two years since it began in 1957. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Patrice Motsepe, confirmed the shift to a four-year cycle last weekend, planned after the 2028 edition.
"We fought for so long to be respected, to then listen to Europe to change your history," Saintfiet stated passionately. He criticised the reasoning given, suggesting player workload was a mere excuse.
Hypocrisy and Disrespect Alleged
The coach highlighted what he sees as hypocrisy from European clubs and governing bodies. "They use the load on players as the excuse while they create a World Cup with 48 teams, a Champions League with no champions," he said.
He proposed that if player welfare was the real concern, European competitions should be reduced instead. "If you want to protect players then you play the Champions League with only the champions. You don't create more competitions with more load. Then you can still play AFCON every two years."
Saintfiet concluded with a powerful statement on Africa's place in world football. "Africa is the biggest football continent in the world, all the big stars in Europe are Africans, so I think we disrespect Africa by going to every four years. I am very sad about that, I hoped that the love for Africa would win over the pressure of Europe."
