By Charity Nginyu
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) have come to a mutual agreement to reschedule the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The prestigious tournament, set to take place in Morocco, will now be held from mid-July to mid-August 2025.
The timing of the tournament has long been a bone of contention, particularly for European clubs who are disproportionately affected by the absence of key African players during crucial stages of the season.
Top European club owners and coaches have repeatedly voiced their concerns over the disruption caused by the AFCON, arguing that it disrupts the rhythm of their teams and compromises their competitive edge.
By shifting the tournament from mid-July to mid-August, CAF and FIFA aim to mitigate these concerns and ensure greater harmony between international and club football calendars.
This move has been welcomed by stakeholders across the footballing world, as it not only addresses the l
ongstanding issue of scheduling conflicts but also enhances the prestige and competitiveness of the AFCON. With the tournament now aligning more closely with the off-season for many European clubs, fans can expect to see a higher caliber of football and greater participation from top African players.
The decision equally marks a significant departure from the traditional scheduling of the AFCON, which has historically taken place in January or February.
Source: Cameroon News Agency
Jean-Louis Gasset who was sacked as head coach of the Ivory Coast national team during the AFCON 2023, has been given the top job at Olympique of Marseille.
The Ligue 1 club made the announcement on Tuesday, after dropping Gennaro Gattuso on Monday.
‘Marseille would like to extend it’s special thanks to Gennaro and his entire staff for the unfailing commitment and professionalism they have shown on a daily basis and wishes them all the best for the future’ the statement released by Marseille read.
Gatusso leaves just five months after he was appointed. He joined the club last September, and has only won nine matches out of 24 as manager of the club. His sacking comes after Marseille suffered a 0-1 loss to 10-man Brest on Sunday.
His replacement Jean-Louis Gasset, 70, is coming from an unimpressive performance with Ivory Coast during the AFCON, which led to his firing as well.
The French coach is expected to revitalise the club which occupies the ninth position on the classification table, 23 points behin
d top side Paris Saint German who have 53 points.
Source: Cameroon News Agency