Algeria’s vice-captain and veteran defender, Aïssa Mandi, has publicly backed the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) controversial decision to transition the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from a biennial to a quadrennial format starting in 2029.
Speaking on Saturday, December 27, 2025, ahead of Algeria’s Group E clash with Burkina Faso, Mandi argued that the move would elevate the tournament’s prestige and better align it with global football standards.
The 34-year-old Lille defender, currently participating in his sixth AFCON, emphasized that a longer gap between tournaments would increase their perceived value:
Greater Prestige: “Organizing the competition every four years is a good thing. It’s better than every two years,” Mandi told reporters. “It will be like all the major continental tournaments such as the Euros, and that makes sense and is good for African football overall.”
Global Alignment: Mandi suggested that the shift would reduce the perennial tension between African national teams and European clubs over player release during the mid-season.
Focus on the Future: He urged the media and fans to stop dwelling on past failures (referencing Algeria’s 2021 and 2023 group-stage exits) and embrace the “new era” of African football governance.
Not everyone in the Morocco 2025 camps agrees with Mandi. The decision has sparked a heated debate among coaches and legends:
Tom Saintfiet (Mali Coach): The Belgian manager was vocal in his disapproval, accusing FIFA and European clubs of forcing the change.4 “Since 1957, Africa has organized the Cup every two years…5 It’s not fair. Africa must be respected,” Saintfiet stated, arguing that the biennial tradition is the “pride of African football.”
CAF’s Justification: CAF President Patrice Motsepe defended the change as a way to “harmonize” the global calendar. To fill the gap, CAF will launch an annual African Nations League in 2029, modeled after the UEFA version.
The new schedule, finalized on the eve of the 2025 tournament, establishes the following timeline:
| Edition | Year | Frequency | Status |
| Morocco 2025 | 2025 | Biennial | Ongoing |
| East Africa 2027 | 2027 | Biennial | Confirmed (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) |
| Bidding Open | 2028 | Special Edition | One-off tournament before the shift |
| New Cycle | 2029 | Quadrennial | Start of 4-year cycle & Nations League |
Away from the boardroom, Mandi and the Desert Foxes are flying high. Following a 3-0 victory over Sudan in their opener, they sit top of Group E. A victory tonight against Burkina Faso would secure their place in the Round of 16, their first knockout appearance since they won the trophy in 2019.
