Four years is a very long time - Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard backs return to biennial Africa Cup of Nations

Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard has backed a return to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) being held every two years, as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) considers reversing its decision to move the tournament to a four-year cycle.

CAF announced in December 2025 that AFCON would be staged every four years from the 2028 edition, a move that drew criticism from football officials and supporters across the continent.

However, CAF president Patrice Motsepe has since indicated that the decision could be reconsidered following opposition to the proposed change.

According to Afrik-Foot, a proposal to restore the tournament's traditional two-year schedule is expected to be put to a vote at CAF's ordinary general assembly in Abuja, Nigeria, on 21 November.

Renard, who previously coached Ivory Coast, believes maintaining the biennial format would be more beneficial for African football.

Speaking to Afrik-Foot, the French coach said a four-year gap between tournaments was too long.

"I think returning to holding the Africa Cup of Nations every two years is excellent, and that the tournament should continue as it was in the past," he said.

"Holding the tournament every four years is far too long in my view, but that is my personal opinion."

DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre has also backed a return to the biennial format, arguing that AFCON should continue to be held every two years.

The debate over the tournament's future comes amid wider changes to CAF's competition calendar.

Alongside its decision to move AFCON to a four-year cycle, the governing body also scrapped the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which was reserved for players competing in their domestic leagues.

CAF cited economic viability as a factor in its decision to discontinue CHAN.

The proposed return to a two-year AFCON cycle would mark a significant reversal of the governing body's earlier plans, with the November meeting expected to be an important moment in determining the tournament's future format.