The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee on Friday is set to deliberate on crucial planning decisions for the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when it meets on Friday in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, with the tournament’s timing, qualification schedule and long-term calendar alignment high on the agenda.

CAF is yet to confirm official dates for both the AFCON 2028 qualifiers and the finals, as the continental body works through a complex transition to a new competition cycle.

The discussions come at a pivotal moment for African football, with administrators seeking to integrate the tournament into an already congested international calendar without overburdening players or clashing with major global events.

The uncertainty follows CAF’s December 2025 announcement that AFCON will move from its traditional two-year cycle to a four-year format starting with the 2028 edition.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe said at the time that the change was designed to harmonise African competitions with the global football schedule and reduce recurring conflicts with club and international tournaments.

Under the existing framework, the 2027 AFCON will still be staged in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, before the new four-year cycle takes effect the following year.

CAF officials face a difficult scheduling puzzle. A January 2028 tournament would come only months after the mid-year 2027 edition, while a summer slot risks overlapping with UEFA Euro 2028 and the Los Angeles Olympic Games — two events that would stretch broadcasting, logistics and player availability.

Any attempt to move the competition later into 2028 or early 2029 could also create clashes with other international fixtures, including the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, making the Executive Committee’s deliberations particularly significant.

Further complicating the calendar is CAF’s plan to launch an African Nations League from 2029, a new competition that will require additional international windows and careful coordination with existing tournaments.

CAF has not yet named a host nation for AFCON 2028, although interest is intensifying. A joint southern African bid reportedly involving Botswana and South Africa is among the proposals expected to be considered as the process gathers momentum.

Friday’s Executive Committee meeting is therefore seen as a key step in defining the structure of African football’s new era. Decisions emerging from the session are expected to clarify whether AFCON 2028 will retain its projected timeframe or be adjusted to fit the crowded global schedule, while also providing guidance on how the four-year cycle will function in practice.

The outcome could shape the rhythm of African competitions for the next decade, as CAF attempts to balance tradition, commercial growth and the realities of the modern international football calendar.

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Legendary Czech footballer Antonín Panenka, who originated the famous ‘Panenka penalty’ has weighed in on Brahim Díaz’s missed penalty in the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal, suggesting the Moroccan attacker may not have adequately prepared to execute the famous chipped effort that bears his name.

Speaking in an interview with Spanish radio Cadena SER, Panenka revealed the level of dedication required to master the delicate technique, stressing that it is far from an improvised move.

“It took me two years of daily training to be able to take a penalty in that way,” he said.

Panenka, who pioneered the audacious spot-kick, expressed doubt that Díaz had invested similar preparation before attempting it in such a high-pressure situation.

“I’m convinced Brahim didn’t train it enough. The idea came to him suddenly in that moment, and he tried it. I think that’s why he didn’t score,” he explained.

The Czech icon also dismissed suggestions that the chipped penalty is disrespectful to opponents, insisting his original intention was purely practical rather than theatrical.

“I don’t agree. At that moment, I thought it was the right way to score. In a European Championship final, you don’t think about mocking the opponent. My intention was never to ridicule anyone. I believed it was the best way to score,” he said.

Panenka etched his name into football history during the UEFA Euro 1976 Final when he famously dinked the decisive.

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By Kunle Solaja.

The success of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was largely driven by strong collaboration between the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and host nation security authorities, according to CAF’s pioneer Head of Safety and Security, Dr Christian Emeruwa.

Emeruwa, in a LinkedIn post,  said that while robust structures and detailed security plans were important, the defining factor behind the smooth delivery of security at AFCON 2025 was the quality of relationships built between CAF and the host country’s security agencies.

“Beyond structures and plans, what truly made the difference were trust, mutual respect, transparency, frankness and honesty in our daily engagements,” Emeruwa noted, stressing that effective security management at major sporting events goes beyond procedures alone.

He explained that delivering security for continental tournaments such as AFCON requires cultural sensitivity, diplomacy and a clearly shared vision among all stakeholders. According to him, these principles enabled open discussions around challenges, alignment of expectations and the ability for all parties to operate as a single, cohesive team in pursuit of a common goal.

Emeruwa described AFCON 2025 as a clear demonstration that successful event security is built on partnership and shared interest, rather than rigid institutional boundaries.

“When organisers and host authorities act as partners rather than counterparts, coordination is stronger, and outcomes are more sustainable,” he said.

The Nigerian security expert added that the values and practices adopted during AFCON 2025 provide a model that can be replicated across different host nations, helping to deliver safe, secure and world-class sporting events in Africa and beyond.

AFCON 2025 was widely praised for its organisation and safety standards, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between football governing bodies and national authorities in staging major international tournaments.

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