The next edition of the African Cup of Nations will be held in Morocco from January 17 to February 7, 2015, the continent's football ruling body, CAF announced after an executive meeting on Friday.

The qualifiers for Africa's showpiece football event will include two phases, one preliminary phase in July / August to reduce the engaged teams to 48, and a group phase made of 12 groups of 4 teams each, writes CAF on its official website.

''The group stage matches will be held during the double dates within the FIFA International Calendar of September, October and November 2014. More details will be provided,'' said the press release.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are the defending champions of the African Cup of Nations