We are on the eve of the African Cup of Nations. Again.

This continental tournament produces high quality football, showcases expressive and exciting players and always unearths a steady stream of new talent. But you can certainly get too much of a good thing and this is an event that is suffering from a case of gross overkill.

I can understand why the tournament needs to be held in the early part of the year, for logistical and planning reasons, but why does it have to be every two years?

It takes a special kind of skill to cheapen a competition that features wonderful players like Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o and Michael Essien. That's what FIFA chief Sepp Blatter has done by blundering his way around the issue with claims that he wants a switch to a June or July tournament – in odd years to avoid clashes with World Cups.

Blatter has conveniently overlooked the fact that that would mean unsuitable weather conditions for a major championship.

(Careful Sepp: If you upset the African continent, you run the risk of alienating half of your international support base.)

It would be much more sensible to advocate a change to a four-year cycle, leaving the Cup of Nations in its current January slot.

Anyhow, here is Yahoo! Sports' rundown of the groups, including our predictions on how things will pan out.

Group A (Ghana, Guinea, Morocco, Namibia)

The host nation has won the past two Cups and Ghana hopes that trend continues. Led by Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari, but missing the influential Stephen Appiah, Ghana should have enough strength to cruise through the group stage, but things will get tougher from then on. Morocco will also fancy its chances of getting through. Guinea should not be written off.

Predicted knockout stage qualifiers: 1. Ghana 2. Morocco

Group B (Benin, Ivory Coast, Mali, Nigeria)

Nigeria and Ivory Coast are the class teams of the group, with only Mali likely to pose any sort of challenge to their dominance. For Ivory Coast, much will depend on the fitness of Chelsea striker Drogba if it is to follow up on an impressive runner-up finish in 2006. The Nigerians, with a long list of Premiership talent, headed by powerhouse striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, are looking strong and have finished third in the last three tournaments.

Predicted knockout stage qualifiers: 1. Ivory Coast 2. Nigeria

Group C (Egypt, Cameroon, Sudan, Zambia)

Defending champs Egypt could become the first major casualty in a deceptively tricky group. Cameroon, headed by Eto'o, will be as strong as ever, but also watch out for Zambia, which impressed by toppling South Africa in a dominant qualifying display. Even Sudan, returning to the event after a long absence, will be competitive.

Predicted knockout stage qualifiers: 1. Cameroon 2. Zambia

Group D (Angola, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia)

This is the hardest group to call, with no obvious weak links and turmoil besetting the South Africa side. Senegal seems to have the most settled squad, but also keep an eye on Angola, which is keen for a strong showing before it hosts the tournament in 2010. South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira remarkably left out Blackburn's Benni McCarthy, and that decision will cost him up front. Tunisia is not as strong as when it won the 2004 tournament and could be bounced out early.

Predicted knockout stage qualifiers: 1. Senegal 2. Angola

We will go over the quarterfinal matchups and predict the remainder of the tournament after the group stage.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

"It is impossible to move the competition to June because it is the rainy season in most African countries and it will also be too hot" – Mustafa Fahmy, general secretary of the Confederation of African Football.