In 2025, FIFA announced a reform of the international calendar, merging the September and October dates. The initiative is generally well received in Africa.
But the way the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is using it for the first two matchdays of the CAN 2027 qualifiers is causing outrage. Several coaches say they 'struggle to understand CAF's logic'.
The imposed calendar disrupts team preparations. Coaches denounce a lack of consultation and overly tight schedules between matches.
Discontent is growing as the next matchdays approach. Coaches hope CAF will revise its approach for the rest of the qualifiers.
