Kalusha Bwalya supports AFCON frequency change and African Nations League

KALUSHA BWALYA, the Zambian football legend, has come out in support of the change of frequency at which the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be played in future and believes the introduction of the African Nations League is a move in the right direction.

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe announced last week that starting from 2032 the continental football showpiece will be played every four years instead of the current two-year cycle. The next AFCON following the one currently underway in Morocco will still go ahead in East Africa in 2027 and CAF has decided to move the next edition forward to 2028 with bids to host that one open.  

The continent’s football governing body announced that Africa will go ‘copy Europe’ and have an annual Nations League, the inaugural event set for 2029. The tournament will be played regionally during the FIFA international weeks with the winners then contesting the finals at a particular country, expected to be Morocco for the first one.

Bwalya applauded these changes prior to flying out to Morocco where he will watch his country's final two group matches against Comoros and the Atlas Lions, Chipolopolo having stolen a point at the death in a 1-1 draw against Mali in their opening match.

“I’ve followed the European one (Nations League) and I think it is a very interesting format. This is a welcome change for me. Yes, inevitably there are so many competitions but it is better for us. Of course, the old school mentality would want it (AFCON) to be played every two years, but I think when you weigh the pros and cons of the four-year cycle it will bring more attention to African football. This is a move in the right direction and I salute Patrice and the CAF EXCO for coming up with this.”

Bwalya is delighted that having the AFCON every four years will bring about some regularity of the competition unlike it has been the case during the current biennial format when the tournament would be played just about any time. The AFCON has been played at different times of the year, early in the year, mid-year and now at the end of the year into the following year.

“It’s good we are going to have regular fixtures. Knowing that every four years we are going to have a tournament and the dates will be fixed for a particular period instead of what has been the case previously. We were somewhat losing our compass as African football. I commend CAF for this.”

The former Zambia FA president likes that Motsepe and his Executive Committee are focused on enhancing grassroots football on the continent.

“It’s good that we are going to have annual tournaments for the under 17, and under 20s as well as under-15 boys and girls annually. So, we will have a lot of development in terms of the national team.”

Meanwhile Bwalya says as Zambia they will be pleased to progress to the group stages given that they are in a rebuilding process.

“It is going to be tough for Zambia, we knew that because we are in the same group with Morocco who are chasing the title. They are the best team on the continent, setting the bar very high for African football.

"So the best for us will be to reach the second round although that is easier said than done but if we can achieve that, Zambia would have done good (sic). We want to play the football we are known for, playing from the back through the middle and then up front.  

"We said to the boys that we have not had the best of years recently. We are trying to build a new team and we have a new young technical bench but they are experienced because Moses Sichone and Andrew Sinkala have played at AFCON and we have two champions with Kennedy Mweene and Joseph Musonda.

"So this is a start, without us putting pressure on our boys – some of whom are young and playing at the tournament for the first time. But we have great individuals, the likes of Patson Daka, Fashion Sakala and Kings Kangwa.”