President of the Confederation of Africa Football – CAF, Issa Hayatou has issued a bold statement ruling out any possibility for the rescheduling of the African Cup of Nations date.

Africa’s soccer controlling body has in recent times come under attack by some leading European clubs whose fortunes are tied to the availability of players from the continent, to rearrange the calendar from the January-February date to the summer, when all of Europe’s leagues would have completed their fixtures.

But upon his arrival in Ghana on Monday for the 2008 African Cup of Nations, which kicks off in six days time, Issa Hayatou did not even put Europe’s request on the backburner. He’s ruled it out entirely.

“As long as I remain the president of CAF, the date scheduled for Africa’s biggest soccer fiesta will remain unchanged,” the President of CAF told the media before leaving the Kotoka International Airport Monday afternoon.

The tournament which starts on January 20 will run till February 10 in four hosting cities made available by Ghana would involve 16 nations with lots of players called up from their clubs, mostly beyond the shores of Africa to represent their countries.

Europe’s request is been fuelled by the issue of player call ups in the middle of their leagues, a situation which is impacting greatly to the leagues in England and France.

“We are not going to bow to their (Europe) whims and caprices.

“We will maintain our stand regarding the organization of the competition.”

Some have even proposed that the African Cup of Nations be played every four years like the European Championship.

However, Issa Hayatou insists that, Africa’s flagship sporting event, enmeshed in tradition would be held every two years

“It would be held every two years in January”.

“My personal concept for Africa Cup of Nations is that people relish the moment they shared during the competition and then plan for the next event,” Issa Hayatou said.