African football again rejected any chance of changing the controversial timing of the AFCON finals as its president Issa Hayatou hit out at critics at the opening of CAF’s Congress in Ethiopia. The timing of the 16-team tournament every two years in January draws continual criticism, not only from coaches of European clubs who lose their African players to their respective national teams at a crucial stage of the season but also increasingly by players, who are caught in the middle of a tug between club and country loyalties. But Hayatou, in a rare statement on the controversy, said the dates were determined by climatic conditions and CAF would not “be dictated to by outside forces”. “Never sway from the path that has been pioneered,” he told African member associations as the organisation celebrated its 60th anniversary.

Hayatou, who faces a strong challenge for re-election later on Thursday, also said Africa expected 10 places in an expanded 48-team World Cup from 2026. Earlier FIFA president Gianni Infantino told the Congress the continent could expect between nine or 10 places. “Our expectation of 10 is based on the level of development of football and considering what our continent means to FIFA. We are certain of attaining this objective,” Hayatou said. He said Africa would also seek more places at FIFA’s age group competition and criticised the decision of world football’s governing body to close two of its development offices on the continent. Hayatou said a new commercial and television partnership signed with Lagardere Sports would guarantee $1-billion to African football over the next eight years.

“The great part of our future revenues will go to clubs, in most cases up to 200 percent. We want to create an environment where Africans don’t have to travel abroad to attain their dreams,” he added. Infantino said the expanded World Cup meant many more were now able to dream of participation in the world’s leading sports event. But he warned: “I have heard for a long time that the future is Africa but we have now make sure the future becomes the present.”