AFCON Returns to Biennial Format: Premier League and Women’s Champions League Updates

As the weekend approaches, the football world is buzzing with exciting news and previews. In the Premier League, Brighton's head coach Fabian Hurzeler is optimistic about the availability of Chema Andres and Ferdi Kadioglu. Both players missed the midweek Carabao Cup match against Manchester City due to hip injuries, but they are expected to return as Brighton aims for vengeance after their penalty shootout defeat at the Etihad. Along with Andres and Kadioglu, Charalampos Kostoulas will also be back in the mix after being rested during the cup clash. However, summer signing Pascal Struijk will not make the squad due to an undisclosed injury. Hurzeler shared with the press in Manchester, "A positive was that (Yankuba) Minteh and Mats Wieffer had their comeback yesterday. Ferdi, Chema, also Kostoulas (who) we rested yesterday, we are quite convinced that he will be an option for Saturday. This is the new information we can give. Regarding Pascal Struijk, he won’t be an option for the weekend, but we are quite convinced that he will be back afterwards." In major tournament news, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will revert to a biennial schedule after the African Football Confederation (CAF) announced a change. The football body reversed its previous decision to shift to a four-year cycle, citing concerns about the financial viability of a proposed replacement competition, the Africa Nations League Pan-African Competition. CAF President Patrice Motsepe stated, "We were also concerned by the several years required before the proposed new Africa Nations League Pan-African competition could make substantial contributions for African football and CAF competitions to be globally competitive and self-supporting." He also noted that the decision supports African players who are contracted with clubs outside of the continent. Next year’s AFCON will take place in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, with subsequent tournaments scheduled for 2028, 2031, and 2033. Motsepe explained that scheduling considerations with the FIFA World Cup led to the three-year gap between the 2028 and 2031 tournaments. Meanwhile, Manchester City faced a setback in the Women’s Champions League as Tara Elimbi Gilbert’s late goal resulted in their third draw of the league phase. City now finds themselves in a tough spot, likely needing to win all their remaining matches to avoid dropping into the knockout phase play-offs in February. City manager Andrée Jeglertz expressed his frustration, saying, “Annoying is not the right word but it’s a little bit a feeling of ‘argh’. We deserved more, I think, but that’s how it is in the Champions League. When you dominate games and you don’t score, the opponent will take their chances and that’s what they did.” As the dust settles from the Carabao Cup action, Everton secured their spot in the quarter-finals with a win over Newcastle, notably doing so without Jack Grealish. The England star was dropped for a ‘breach of club discipline,’ a decision supported by manager David Moyes without further elaboration. All eyes will be on Grealish as Everton prepares for a trip back to Newcastle for Monday night football. Over at Old Trafford, the drama continues as Manchester United prepares for a nostalgic away fixture against Chelsea. Following Michael Carrick’s six-minute monologue and a disappointing loss to Bournemouth, United’s fortunes are in question as they look to regain some pride. Stay tuned for a series of pre-match press conferences and more updates from the Women’s Champions League as your football weekend kicks off in style.