A change in dates for the African Nations Cup is being considered from every even year to every odd year, the Confederation of African Football president Issa Hayatou said.
A possible change will come into effect in 2013, when the planned tournament of 2014 will be brought ahead 12 months, Hayatou told television reporters in Luanda.
He said he did not want the Nations Cup to be played in the same year as either the World Cup or the European Championship. However, the timing of the event in January will not change, he insisted.
The Nations Cup falls in the middle of the European club season, and with most of the tournament�s players based at clubs in Europe, it has been the subject of much criticism from coaches and managers in the past.
In a small concession to the clubs, CAF moved this year�s tournament in Angola a fortnight ahead of their previous starts at the end of January.
A CAF spokesman said a final decision was not likely until next month and only if Libya, who are scheduled to host the 2014 finals, agree to bringing the tournament ahead by one year.
The 2012 finals, which are to be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, will not be affected, the spokesman said.
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