Rabat: CAF President Patrice Motsepe on Saturday hailed the Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco as the best edition ever, citing infrastructure, transport networks, hotels, stadiums, and training facilities. Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the final between Morocco and Senegal, the CAF president took the opportunity to express his sincere thanks to HM King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan government, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Motsepe expressed the wish to lay solid foundations for the development of African football that will bear fruit in the years to come. In addition, he announced that the African Nations League will be held in 2029 with the participation of all 54 countries. “Imagine Kenya versus Tanzania, Ghana versus Nigeria, Egypt versus Morocco, C´te d’Ivoire versus Cameroon,” Motsepe said about the new competition, which was announced last December in Rabat, noting that the best players will take part since the tournament will be held during the FIFA international window.

Motsepe stated that the format will be zonal, with all zone winners facing each other for the ultimate title. He mentioned that many countries want to host the 2028 AFCON and the African Nations League in 2029, defending the idea of holding the AFCON every four years. “An AFCON every four years will be in the interest of African football. This is a well-thought-out decision,” he noted, stressing the independence of CAF’s decision-making. “We must free ourselves as Africans and not believe that every decision we take is dictated by FIFA or Europe,” he underscored.

Regarding refereeing performances at AFCON 2025, Motsepe said: “We have confidence in our African referees. All 54 countries on the continent must be treated on an equal footing.”