The Confederation of African Football, Caf, has confirmed 21 January and 12 February as the period between which the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations will be played.
Next year's competition will co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea as the opening match will be played in Bata in Equatorial Guinea while the final will take place in Libreville.
Caf's new date means the tournament will begin over a week later than 2010 edition in Angola.
The venue for the draw for the 2012 Nations Cup is yet to be communicated.