Discussions were also held on the possibility of holding the tournament every four years instead of two but the symposium recommended the existing biennial structure be kept in place. 

A final decision on the changes to the competition could be made as early as tomorrow when the CAF Executive Committee are due to meet in the Moroccan capital.

Should it be rubber-stamped, it would see the CAF follow UEFA in expanding their main tournament by eight teams after the 2016 European Championships in France featured 24 nations for the first time.

The recommendations were made at the symposium, attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF counterpart Ahmad, as well as former players, coaches and other stakeholders.

The changes have been proposed to address concerns over the impact of the Cup of Nations, the CAF's flagship event for national teams, has on the European club season.

Players have to be released by their clubs to take part in the event, with some reluctant to let their star names travel to Africa to represent their country.

The build-up to last year's tournament, held in Gabon, was dominated by the ongoing club versus country row, with a number of players refusing call-ups to take part.

This included seven from Cameroon, who turned down the chance to play for the team still claimed their fifth Cup of Nations title.

"From a sporting perspective, it will allow more opportunity for footballers across the continent," CAF Executive Committee member Amaju Pinnock, President of the Nigerian Football Federation, told Reuters. 

"It will increase revenue for CAF and we can triple our income. 

"It will also force more infrastructure development."

The move to grow the tournament from 16 to 24 teams has not been met with universal approval, however.

Former Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell claimed it would "restrict to just a handful the number of African countries who are able to host" a future edition of the event.