Algeria, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Sudan and Zimbabwe are all contenders.

The tournament was originally awarded to Libya - which at first was going to hold the 2013 edition - but it withdrew in August because of ongoing unrest in the country.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) began its call for nominations on August 23, with a deadline of September 30.

Its Executive Committee will choose the successful country at one of its meetings in 2015, it said.

Because of the limited timeframe in organising the competition, the CAF Executive Committee will "focus on the host with acceptable infrastructure and facilities required", such as stadiums, training grounds and accommodation.

Of the seven bidders, only Kenya and Zimbabwe have never hosted the Africa Cup of Nations.

Algeria hosted it in 1990; Egypt in 1974, 1986 and 2006; Gabon co-hosted in 2012; Ghana in 1963, 1978, 2000 and 2008; and Sudan held the first African Cup of Nations in 1957, along with the 1970 edition.

Morocco are due to be the 2015 host.

In September, the CAF awarded the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations to Cameroon, with the 2021 edition to be staged in Ivory Coast and 2023 in Guinea.