Tendai Keith Guvamombe
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco has arrived amidst a whirlwind of anticipation, yet the road to the opening whistle has been paved with significant structural and administrative hurdles.
Beyond the lighthearted social media banter and the dreams of underdog nations like the Comoros, a critical look at the weeks leading up to the tournament reveals a landscape of logistical tension and internal power struggles.
For many of the 24 competing nations, the primary challenge has not been the tactical preparation on the pitch, but rather the management of crises off it.A primary concern has been the friction between national football federations and their technical staff.
The case of Cameroon serves as a prominent example, where a public power struggle between the federation leadership and the coaching staff led to the submission of two different squad lists.
The exclusion of established stars like André Onana and Vincent Aboubakar—rumored to be tied to internal politics rather than performance—highlights a recurring issue in African football: the influence of administrative egos on squad harmony.
Such instability risks fracturing team chemistry and underscores the lesson that institutional unity is a prerequisite for tournament success.Furthermore, the shift to a December-January schedule has exacerbated the long-standing “club versus country” conflict.
A late FIFA ruling shortened the mandatory player release window to just seven days, leaving many teams to arrive in Morocco without the opportunity for traditional training camps or friendly matches.
Coaches, including Mali’s Tom Saintfiet and Angola’s Patrice Beaumelle, have criticized this “nonsense” scheduling, noting that it is impossible to prepare a elite squad in just two or three sessions.
This truncated window disproportionately affects teams relying heavily on European-based stars, who arrived fatigued from a grueling club calendar.Ultimately, the challenges leading to AFCON 2025 emphasize a need for better global coordination and professionalized governance.
While the tournament remains a vibrant celebration of African identity, the recurring themes of unpaid allowances, administrative interference, and scheduling conflicts serve as a reminder of the work still required.
The resilience of the players who perform despite these distractions is commendable, yet for the continent’s football to reach its full potential, the organizational structure surrounding it must eventually match the world-class talent on the field.
