Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has voiced strong support for retaining the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in its traditional two-year cycle, describing frequent continental competition as essential for the long-term growth of African football.
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The Franco-Malian tactician argued that hosting the continent’s flagship tournament every two years provides national teams with vital opportunities to build tactical cohesion, develop home-grown talent, and gain regular competitive exposure against top-tier opposition.
The debate comes amid shifting signals from the Confederation of African Football (CAF). While the governing body had previously proposed moving AFCON to a four-year cycle to align with the global international calendar, CAF President Patrice Motsepe recently indicated that the decision remains under review.
Chelle—who managed Mali at the 2023 AFCON in CĂ´te d’Ivoire before taking charge of Nigeria for the 2025 edition—insisted that reducing tournament frequency would slow developmental progress and widen the gap between African teams and global rivals.
Chelle’s public stance adds significant weight to the ongoing discussion among football administrators and stakeholders as CAF re-evaluates its long-term competition structure.
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