CAF restores AFCON to biennial format, giving Super Eagles more title chances

CAF has reversed its December 2025 decision to move the Africa Cup of Nations from a two-year to a four-year cycle, officially announcing the return to the traditional biennial format on Friday, October 30, 2026. President Patrice Motsepe confirmed the reconsideration earlier this month, citing that the proposed African Nations League would take years to become financially sustainable and deliver expected benefits to African football.

For Nigeria's Super Eagles, the restoration means more frequent opportunities to compete for the continental title they last won in 2013. The team finished third in 2019 and lost the 2023 final to hosts Ivory Coast. Under the abandoned four-year arrangement, Nigeria would have faced longer gaps between tournaments. The restored schedule now offers potential title shots in 2027, 2029, and 2031, subject to qualification.

The change also benefits head coach Eric Chelle, who gets more regular competitive platforms to build his system and test emerging talents like George Ilenikhena and Benjamin Fredrick against strong continental opposition.

However, Nigeria's immediate priority remains qualifying for the 2027 AFCON, jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. The Super Eagles trail Guinea-Bissau by three points in their group following a reported 3-0 defeat in their previous meeting. With Tanzania automatically qualified as co-hosts, only one additional spot is available from the group, making the remaining fixtures critical for Chelle's squad.

Can Chelle turn the qualification campaign around and use the biennial rhythm to build a tournament-winning squad by 2027?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/10/31/afcon-what-cafs-return-to-2-year-cycle-means-for-super-eagles/