The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to consider a proposal that could significantly reshape international football on the continent, with a three-division competition for national teams among the key issues on the agenda at its Executive Committee meetings in Johannesburg.
The proposal, inspired by the UEFA Nations League, seeks to replace the previously considered geographical structure with a system based entirely on sporting merit.
If adopted, the competition would group African nations according to their competitive level rather than their regional location, creating more frequent meetings between the continent’s strongest teams.
The initiative is being championed by former Cameroon captain Samuel Eto’o, who believes a merit-based format would improve the quality of international fixtures across Africa.
According to the proposal, the competition would feature three divisions.
The top tier would consist of the 12 highest-ranked African national teams, split into two groups of six competing for the title.
A second division would include the nations ranked between 13th and 36th, while all remaining teams would compete in the third tier.
Promotion and relegation would be central to the format.
The bottom two teams in each division would drop to the level below, while the top two sides from the lower divisions would earn promotion, creating a competitive pathway for nations seeking to rise through the rankings.
Supporters of the proposal believe such a system would guarantee more meaningful matches throughout the international calendar while ensuring that top African teams regularly face opponents of a similar standard.
At the same time, lower-ranked nations would have clearer opportunities to progress through consistent performances.
The discussions come at a time when African football continues to examine ways of improving the quality and competitiveness of its international competitions.
Rather than relying on regional groupings, the proposed structure would prioritise performance, potentially leading to more high-profile fixtures involving the continent’s leading football nations.
For African teams, particularly those aiming to establish themselves among the continent’s elite, the proposed competition could offer more regular high-level opposition while providing emerging nations with a structured route to climb the divisions through sporting achievement.
According to reports cited by insider Micky Jnr, the proposal ranks among the major subjects expected to be discussed during the Johannesburg meetings.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe is also expected to address the matter during a press conference scheduled for 22 July.
The proposed restructuring is only one of several reforms reportedly under consideration.
