CAF bows to players at odds with Afcon held in even years

pressure by agreeing to stage the Africa Cup of Nations in years with odd

numbers, City Press can reveal.

who have voiced their dissatisfaction at the timing of the event, especially in

the year of the World Cup – arguing that it was too taxing to play two major

tournaments in the same year.

has decided the 2012 Afcon edition, which would be co-hosted by Gabon and

Equatorial Guinea, would be the last to be held in an even number.

automatically qualify for the 2013 tournament as there won’t be enough time for

another round of qualifiers.

qualifiers, which CAF normally fuses with the Nations Cup qualifiers.

persistent calls for CAF to reschedule the tournament, revealed that the Afcon

programming had changed.

get very tired playing in two major tournaments in the same year,” he said after

receiving the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo – one of the country’s highest

honours – during the ceremony held at the presidential guesthouse in Pretoria on

Tuesday evening.

President Jacob Zuma ­bestowed the award on Hayatou for his

excellent contribution to the development of ­African soccer.

ply their trade in Europe to change the timing of the tournament as it clashed

with the World Cup years.

years, like the World Cup and the Euro Championships and also during the off

season.