Football fans across Africa have criticised the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for introducing a new format for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The revised system, which takes effect from the 2025 edition in Morocco, has sparked outrage among supporters, who believe it may reduce excitement and fairness.
CAF recently announced changes to the group stage and knockout structure. Under the new format, 24 teams will still compete, but the progression system has been altered. Critics say the updated design favours bigger teams and leaves little room for surprises from smaller nations.
Many fans took to social media to vent their frustration. They argue that the current format, used since 2019, was already working well. A Nigerian fan, Tunde Ajayi, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “CAF keeps tampering with a good system. AFCON is exciting because of its unpredictability. This change ruins that.”
Others questioned the timing and motive behind the revision. A Ghanaian supporter, Ama Mensah, accused CAF of copying European tournament formats without considering African realities. “We’re not UEFA. CAF should focus on improving facilities and officiating, not tweaking formats,” she posted.
Some analysts also warned that the new format could lead to confusion for casual viewers and might affect team preparation strategies.
CAF has yet to offer a detailed explanation for the change but insists it aims to improve competition quality. However, with growing backlash from fans, the controversy may continue in the build-up to AFCON 2025.
