The Confederation of African Football (CAF) at their Extra-Ordinary Assembly in Rabat, Morocco on Friday, July 21 confirmed two changes to the AFCON- an increase from 16 to 24 teams and change in date from Winter, January/February to summer, June/July.

CAF followed the footstep of their European counterparts UEFA and also aligned with the European football schedule with the new AFCON date.

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Pinnick has however revealed that the changes were done for the benefit of Europe-based African players.

“We took Africa into cognisance. We took the players, their welfares, their future and also the future of other African players that would be possibly going to Europe which you must agree has the biggest leagues in the world,” Pinnick who is also a member of the CAF Executive Committee told .

“It was a full African idea and not any pressure from Europe.”

Pinnick also dismissed talks of CAF taking AFCON out of Africa.

“AFCON is a pride of Africa. It is the symbol of African unity. So there is no way we would take it out of Africa, not in the foreseeable future,” Pinnick said.

He added that CAF increased the number of participating AFCON teams to get more money.

“We want the issue of the more the merrier,” he further said.

“Our argument is based on sporting and commercial benefits. What are the sporting benefits?

“There will be more recognition for African players, their worth will now be well pronounced because if you look at when they are negotiating their contracts, they take into cognizance that critical period between January and February.

“So now African players know they can now play from the beginning of their different championships (league games) till the end.

“For the commercial value, there will be more visibility for brands and that money can now be used to develop and throw around the small African countries.”

Pinnick is the current chairman of the AFCON in CAF and he’s also in the Media Committees of the federation.