Every two years,  the African Nations Cup takes place in January,right in the middle of the European season.
Clubs in Europe complain about the timing of the tournament in view of the effect it might have on their team's chances for title ambitions and relegation battles.A good number of clubsides have to bear the cost of treating players who come back injured from the competition, thereby raising another controversial subject:that of compensation while on national duty.
CAF says the competition cannot be moved to the summer months,as rain in sub-saharan Africa will hamper the competition from being a meaningful spectacle.Besides,since it is held every two years in even-numbered years(e.g. 2008,2010 etc),it will clash with the World cup or the European Championship at some point .While the world cup is non-negotiable,it would mean staging the contest every four years, and CAF cannot risk a head-to-head airing of the CAN with the European version of the Nations Cup,which would be holding at that time.The only other option would be to move the competition to the summer of the odd-numbered years (e.g. 2011,2013 etc), but that would also mean a scheduling clash with the Copa America.
Given the supposed heights CAF is supposed to have reached by now,it is understandable they would want to have the center stage to themselves when they stage their premier contest and not split viewing audience with richer and more powerful confederations (e.g. UEFA).But the Europe based clubs also feel the pinch when they let their African players off for this competition.
My question is:should CAF come up with a better time in the season for the African Nations Cup?
Kindly drop your suggestions.

I've always wondered why the y always organized the Afcon every 2 years each January. Every 4 years each January is the best solution for me.

For the sake of developing African football, the competition should be staged every 2 years. Even the South American edition is staged every 2 years.
About the timing, January is the best because most European leagues are on break in January minus EPL.

Africa will not because of EPL change the timing of the Nation's cup. Its the best time for us and its such a short competitive period and it doesn't happen everyday. Weather is another issue.

Andre Uweh:

For the sake of developing African football, the competition should be staged every 2 years. Even the South American edition is staged every 2 years.
About the timing, January is the best because most European leagues are on break in January minus EPL.

it seems south america has changed their own to every 4 yrs usually the year after the world cup.

it the best time to me. let be proud of our invention and stop to imitate white people. thumb up CAF

it the best time to me. let be proud of our invention and stop to imitate white people. thumb up CAF

I think CAF stages the AFCOn every two years because it's their major source of revenue.
CAF isn't that rich or powerful enough to try a 4-year format.
Secondly,I think that since the AFCON is a FIFA- recognised competition,the European sides don't have a choice but to release the African players.
However, I would have thought that given the hinderance by which they view the competition,they would stop hiring African players,but it seems the patronage has increased in spite of this issue.
I think African players are cheaper,barring the work-permit issues, to buy.
I think CAF should stick to this competition's present format.The Europeans were aware the competition would hold every two years in mid-season.

Amodu laments 'difficult' ANC timing

Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu has questioned the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations, lamenting that it makes it difficult for coaches of African national teams to put in enough preparation time with their respective teams.

"The Nations Cup timing is not helping us in Africa," Amodu said.

Africa's flagship competition takes place bang in the middle of the European football season, where the majority of African players earn their living.

According to Fifa Regulations, the clubs are only obligated to release the players for pre-tournament camping 14 days before kick off.

But that figure usually comes down to about 10 days, especially with players coming from the English Premier League and Amodu suggested that the Confederation of African Football should take a second look at the situation.

"CAF should look at it so it gives us more than two weeks to prepare because the current situation is causing difficulties for us."

In spite of that difficulty, however, the under-pressure coach is still determined to make a push for the trophy.

"I think we can win it. Every coach goes into a tournament with the ambition of winning it.

"I have been given a semifinal target, but I can’t just stop there. We have to do our best to bring the Cup home."

And Amodu is under no illusions about his job should his team fail to perform well in Angola.

"The Nations Cup will be a pointer to what the World Cup will be.

"Some have said that it will determine my fate, but I am not even thinking about that."

http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=13010

FBS,
It's one thing to call for a change in timing:very convenient to do.
But are there any other bright ideas as to when exactly it should be staged?
Amodu is looking for excuses should he (likely) fail in Angola.This is just a case of band-wagon jumping.

Eastbay,
Well, the man don already talk am. Expect nothing from Angola but we have no other choice but to support him and them boys. 

But really, is January the best time? Every 2 years to me is ok. It infact would have been perfect if ALL our boys play at home. 

FBS:

Amodu laments 'difficult' ANC timing
"The Nations Cup timing is not helping us in Africa," Amodu said.
"CAF should look at it so it gives us more than two weeks to prepare because the current situation is causing difficulties for us.""Some have said that it will determine my fate, but I am not even thinking about that."

http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=13010

In otherwords,in the words of Amodu,the nations cup is helping the Europeans?
Timing being right or wrong,it must be emphasised that all the participating
teams are on level playing ground.If u chose to feature 23 foreign based players
with the trouble of their clubs not realising them on time,good for you.
Afterall it is u who said the best league in africa has no good home based player
to offer you.

If you like,donot think about ur performance in angola as it affects ur chances of
leading the team to SA,ask Hughes to tell u what happens to loosers.
No excuse will do,the ball is in ur court.

FBS,
Truth is,as much as January is an inconvenient time for everybody (mostly Europeans), CAF can't find a better time to organise it.
June\July in sub-saharan Africa is rainy.No decent footie will be played.
Besides,every other two years will see us clashing with either UEFA or South America.And CAF wouldn't want to do it for revenue/TV reasons.
CAF doesn't have a choice,in my opinion.

In otherwords,in the words of Amodu,the nations cup is helping the Europeans? Shocked
Timing being right or wrong,it must be emphasised that all the participating
teams are on level playing ground.If u chose to feature 23 foreign based players
with the trouble of their clubs not realising them on time,good for you.
Afterall it is u who said the best league in africa has no good home based player
to offer you.

If you like,donot think about your performance in angola as it affects your chances of
leading the team to SA,ask Hughes to tell u what happens to loosers.
No excuse will do,the ball is in your court.

Please tell Amodu o

Maybe move it to every 3 years, it should not be played in the Eurpoean offseason just to placate their big teams though.