Which players will gain after the AFCON plan changes?
With the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) continuing its bi-annual format, SPORTbible has taken a look at which players stand to benefit the most from extra chances to win this prestigious trophy.
AFCON had planned to switch to a four-year cycle starting in 2028, but that plan has changed, and the tournament will stay on its current schedule. So, who will gain the most from these extra opportunities to reach AFCON glory?
One clear winner is Mohamed Salah. Thanks to CAF’s decision, Salah’s chances of playing in AFCON tournaments into the 2030s have improved. Winning AFCON is the last step for him to be crowned Africa’s greatest ever player.
Before, Salah’s AFCON journey was likely to end by 2028, giving him just two shots to win. Now, confirmed to captain Egypt at the 2030 World Cup, he could have a third chance in 2031. This is huge for him since he has yet to help Egypt lift the trophy, despite coming close in finals before.
Salah started playing for Egypt during a tough time, after the tragic Port Said riot in 2012, which slowed football progress in the country. Still, he led Egypt to finals in 2017 and 2021, falling short to Cameroon and Senegal. In 2025, he had his best tournament yet, with five goal contributions, but Egypt lost again to Senegal in the semis.
With Egypt performing well against big teams like Argentina in 2026 and strong talents like Haissem Hassan and Eman Ashour emerging, 2027 looks like Salah’s best chance. But with potential tournaments in 2028 and 2031 as well, the pressure in 2027 can be less intense.
Ademola Lookman enjoyed a great 2025 AFCON, with seven goal involvements, but Nigeria lost in the semis to Morocco. At 29, his last shot at AFCON was supposed to be in 2032, now he’ll get it earlier in 2031 and again in 2033, joined by young star Victor Osimhen.
Nigeria, one of the ‘Big 4’ AFCON nations alongside Senegal, Morocco, and Egypt, has yet to win AFCON in the 2020s, unlike Senegal and Morocco. Winning would be huge for Lookman, locking in his legacy as a Nigerian hero and preventing him from fading from the spotlight.
Achraf Hakimi, Morocco’s captain, technically already has an AFCON title from 2025, but hasn’t really lifted the trophy on stage for fans to celebrate. With Morocco’s rise as World Cup contenders, there’s big pressure on him to win more trophies.
Before CAF’s decision, Hakimi’s last AFCON might be around 2036, but now he could compete in 2031 and 2033, and possibly up to 2035, giving him five shots at the title.
Morocco wants more than just one cup. With only two AFCON titles in their history, this era is their golden chance. If Hakimi doesn’t win again, he risks being remembered as the captain who couldn’t lead a strong Morocco team to multiple trophies.
Thankfully, with these extra chances, Hakimi has a great shot at cementing his place as Morocco’s greatest player and one of Africa’s all-time best. If not, it’s a tough legacy to carry, but one he knows well.
So, with more tournaments ahead, stars like Salah, Lookman, and Hakimi have fresh opportunities to chase AFCON glory and write their names into football history.