Sports
‘FIFA Club W/Cup Could Kill AFCON’
Fifa’s decision to play the 2021 Club World Cup in June and July could “kill” the Africa Cup of Nations, says Togo coach Claude le Roy.
Set to take place in China with an expanded 24 teams, the club tournament’s new timing and format pose problems for Africa’s showpiece event.
Cameroon is due to host the next Afcon finals in June and July 2021.
“It’s terrible for the projection of this beautiful competition, the Nations Cup,” said Le Roy.
Speaking to Tidesports source, the Frenchman – who has coached at a record nine Afcon finals, winning the tournament with Cameroon in 1988, added: “Fifa’s decision that June is a good time to host the Club World Cup means they are killing the Nations Cup.”
Two years ago, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) chose to move the Nations Cup from its long-standing January-February slot to June-July, primarily to avoid repeated club-versus-country rows.
But now, European clubs who were unhappy about having to release players in the middle of a season may have to confront similar issues.
If the threat of a European boycott is averted, eight clubs from that continent will line up for the 2021 Club World Cup, as well as three from Africa.
While the final format is still to be decided, reports suggest the European teams could feature the winners of both the Champions League and Europa League from 2018 to 2021.
Meanwhile, the three African teams are set to come from both the finalists of the African Champions League, as well as the winners of a play-off between the losing semi-finalists.
With these varying sides likely to feature many African internationals, Nations Cup club-versus-country battles are set to return.
Yet they can only reappear every four years rather than two, since the revised Club World Cup will be a quadrennial event as opposed to the Nations Cup’s biennial nature.
“The Club World Cup has an exclusive window in the international match calendar, so a balanced solution will be found and the dates will be compatible,” a Fifa spokesperson told our source.
“The participation model to determine the clubs that qualify from each confederation will be finalised in a consultation process between Fifa and the six confederations.
“The format will be confirmed in due course.”
A Fifa Task Force report into the newly revised Club World Cup mentioned moving the 2021 Nations Cup kick off to July, after the former has ended.
But this move would bring its own problems, because players involved in the Nations Cup contingent would then miss their clubs’ crucial pre-season preparations, which intensify that month before the start of many European domestic leagues in August.
Fifa’s role in the timing has also been questioned by Le Roy.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino was helped into power by African votes and has often spoken of his desire to help the continent.
However, Le Roy criticised the gap ‘between the speeches of Infantino explaining that Fifa is here to help Africa and the reality off the field’.
In August, Fifa sent its own Secretary General – Fatma Samoura of Senegal – to take up an unprecedented ‘General Delegate’ for Africa role in a bid to improve Caf’s governance.
“Since Africa is under the supervision of Fifa, do you think that Africa can have a real impact in decisions of world football?” asked Le Roy, who has led Congo, DR Congo, Ghana, and Senegal as well as Togo to Nations Cups.
“I love football more and more as a game but I hate more and more the world of football.”
Last week, Fifa confirmed that the 2021 Club World Cup will take place in China.
The 2019 and 2020 editions will remain as annual seven-club tournaments, featuring the various continental champions as well as the local one from host nation Qatar.
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
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