The Africa Cup of Nations is heading back to its two-year rhythm. The Confederation of African Football has reversed its December decision to shift the tournament to a four-year cycle, bringing Afcon back in line with the schedule fans and players have long known.
The U-turn comes after a review of that earlier call, though no additional details about what prompted the rethink have been shared publicly. What matters now is that the continent's biggest football celebration will return more frequently, keeping the competition alive in the calendar the way African football supporters expect it to be.
For players, coaches, and the millions of fans who live and breathe Afcon, this is welcome news. A four-year wait would have brought the tournament in step with the World Cup and other global competitions, but Afcon has always moved to its own beat. It looks like it will continue to do exactly that.
Originally published by BBC Africa.