CAF To Move 2027 AFCON To 2028 After Algeria Sanctions.

 

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering delaying the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations as it works to adjust the tournament schedule.

 The governing body plans to move AFCON onto a four-year cycle, with the first edition under this new system set for 2028.

Sources at CAF’s headquarters in Cairo say no host country is fully ready to hold the tournament next year.

 Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya were chosen to stage the competition, but officials are now discussing a possible shift to 2028.

 A final decision is expected in the coming months after talks with the three nations and other key parties.

CAF has also punished Algeria following their 0-2 loss to Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the recently concluded AFCON, which Senegal eventually won. 

The football body imposed fines totaling $150,000 on Algeria for a series of offenses during and after the match. 

These include misconduct by players and officials, fan disturbances, attempts to invade the pitch, use of smoke, and a provocative display of banknotes, which CAF interpreted as an accusation of corruption.

Several Algerian players were also suspended. 

Goalkeeper Luca Zidane will miss the start of AFCON 2027 qualifiers after a two-match ban for an on-field fight with Nigeria’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. 

Right-back Rafik Belghali was given a four-game suspension, with two matches suspended, for threatening match officials.

 The Algerian Football Federation said it plans to appeal, calling the penalties unfair.

CAF is also reviewing incidents involving Senegal in the AFCON final against Morocco.

 The West African team temporarily left the field for 17 minutes after a penalty decision, a move criticised by both CAF and FIFA. 

Senegal later returned and won the trophy, but the event has raised concerns about African football’s image.