Between the January 20th and February 10th, 2006, the 15 qualifying nations and the hosts, Egypt, will gather to contest the 25th African Cup of Nations. Although the tournament comes at a bad time for a number of European club sides, some of whom have been criticised by FIFA President Sepp Blatter for pressuring players to put club before country, we can look forward to three weeks of fantastic football, drama and no doubt, a touch of controversy also.

With a new, joint qualifying system for the Nations Cup and the World Cup in Germany in the summer, the top three teams in each qualifying group made it to the finals. As the host nation qualified automatically, Libya, who finished 4th in Group Three, also qualified for the first time since hosting the tournament in 1982.

The 16 nations have been split into four groups, with the winners and runners up qualifying for the quarter finals.

So, the big question is: Who is going to win the tournament?

Egypt: The hosts go into the tournament looking to rediscover old form. Having qualified more times than any other nation (20), and being the joint record holders for number of victories (4), the 9/2 second favourites should make it through the group stage, but that may be the limit of their aspirations.

Libya: The rank outsiders of the tournament, in their first appearance in 24 years, they have the honour of participating in the opening match, but their stay in the tournament shouldn't last too much longer than that. (Odds: 125/1)

Morocco: The 1976 winners could well be one of the dark horses of the tournament. Their pride still hurting after failing to qualify for the World Cup, they will be looking to re-assert themselves as one of the powers of African football. If they can progress from the group stage, their confidence may build to a level that will make them difficult to stop. (12/1)

Ivory Coast: With Chelsea forward Didier Drogba leading from the front the Ivory Coast could well win the tournament for only the second time in their history. All this, after failing to qualify for the last tournament in Tunisia, two years ago! Although their play is unspectacular, they should safely qualify for the quarter finals. (5/1).

Prediction: Ivory Coast will top the group, closely followed by Egypt, sending Morocco and the hapless Libyans home early.

Cameroon: Despite being drawn in a group with two teams who made the World Cup, Cameroon remain strong favourites to progress and also favourites to win the Cup. In Samuel Eto’o, they possess arguably the best centre forward in the world, let alone Africa. Despite their shocking failure to qualify for Germany, the Lions remain a strong force and should easily progress to at least the semi final stage. (4/1)

Togo: Togo surprised everyone, including themselves, by not only qualifying for Egypt, they also topped a group including Senegal to make it all the way to the World Cup this summer. Having recently undergone a footballing revolution under new coach Stephen Keshi, they will be looking to continue their progress by making it beyond the first round for the first time. (22/1).

Angola: Another surprise qualifier for the World Cup, this time at the expense of the mighty Nigeria, Angola will struggle to achieve anything at Egypt 2006. Their best hope will be to use the tournament as preparation for the finals in Germany in the summer. (22/1)

DR Congo: The Democratic Republic of Congo are classed as the weakest team in the group, but that does not mean they won’t have a say in how the group will look at the end of the first round. If they can get off to a good start they may well put themselves in with a chance of qualifying by their final match. Unfortunately for them, that final match will be against Cameroon. (80/1)

Prediction: Cameroon should easily top the group, and in a close battle for second place, I’m expecting Togo to squeeze through.

Tunisia: The reigning champions will be happy to be in a relatively straightforward group, one from which they should progress comfortably. History will be against their overall chances though, as only Cameroon have defended the title since the tournament was expanded to 16 teams. (6/1).

Zambia: One of the least fancied of the qualifiers, Zambia will fancy their chances of defeating South Africa and Guinea, ensuring their progression to the quarter finals. That will be the extent of their hopes though, as even if they do qualify for the quarter finals, they won’t be strong enough to go any further. (50/1)

South Africa: A short time ago, it would have been an easy choice to select South Africa to qualify alongside Tunisia, but they have struggled in recent times so that selection is not as automatic as it used to be. Currently without a coach, and having lurched through a difficult qualifying campaign, anything they manage to achieve in the tournament will be a bonus. (28/1)

Guinea: Guinea’s main chance lies in the fact that this is the weakest group. They will hope to get off to a good start against the unsettled South Africans, and use that as a platform for some success. Smart money, however, suggests that an early flight home will be their fate. (40/1)

Prediction: Tunisia to win the group by a mile, with South Africa the best of a poor bunch qualifying in second place.

Nigeria: It can often be said that Nigeria’s biggest enemy is Nigeria itself. No one can doubt the quality of their players, but the size of their egos and their ability to push the self destruct button, frequently stops the "Super Eagles" from making it to the higher echelons of world football. Depending on which Nigeria turns up for the tournament, it will have a big say on the overall outcome for a number of teams. After their embarrassing failure to qualify for the World Cup however, I expect them to be absolutely determined to re-assert themselves as a force to be reckoned with. (7/1)

Ghana: The four time winners are buoyant from qualifying for their first World Cup, and should take plenty of confidence into the tournament. However, their last victory was 24 years ago, and the loss of Michael Essien through injury will have a big impact on their chances. (14/1)

Senegal: Yet another big nation who will not be at the finals in Germany in the summer, Senegal will be another team with a lot to prove in Egypt. They could have asked for an easier draw than to be placed in the so-called "Group of Death" (every tournament has one these days doesn't it?), but they will be looking to get through the first round and then, who knows? (11/1)

Zimbabwe: Certainly the weakest team in this group, and arguably the weakest team in the tournament, the only thing that Zimbabwe have on their side, is that they have nothing to lose. Except for three matches, which I expect them to lose and probably quite convincingly. (100/1)

Prediction: Nigeria and Senegal to both put recent disappointments behind them, and qualify for the next round.

If my predictions are correct, the quarter final line up should look like this:

* Ivory Coast v Togo
* Egypt v Cameroon
* Tunisia v Senegal
* Nigeria v South Africa

Predictions: I’m expecting the Ivory Coast to take care of Togo, Cameroon will defeat Egypt in what will be the match of the round, and possibly the tournament. Senegal will upset Tunisia and Nigeria should be too strong for South Africa.

* Ivory Coast v Cameroon
* Senegal v Nigeria

Predictions: Two very good matches that could both go either way, but I believe Cameroon and Nigeria will come through

* Cameroon v Nigeria

Prediction: These two giants of African football have met in three previous finals in 1984, 1988 and 2000, and each time it has been Cameroon who has come out on top, the last time on penalties. I’m expecting a very close encounter again, possibly requiring extra time and even penalties, but I feel it will be Cameroon who will eventually prevail and win the 2006 African Cup of Nations.

Whatever happens, it will be a fantastic tournament full of action, drama, goals, red cards, excitement and some matches lasting 96, 97 or even 100 minutes rather than the regulation 90.