The first stage of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is the usual round robin format, which kicks off tomorrow, January 14 in Gabon.

There are four groups of four and the top two from each of those groups will make their way through to the knockout stage, which starts with the quarter finals. Here is a close look at each group

Group A: Gabon, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau are the only debutant in this edition of Afcon and they can pretty much be counted out of making a run at qualification, because they are likely going to be pretty overawed by this. So, that cuts the group to three.

If you look at Burkina Faso, who made that incredible run to the 2013 final, you can probably make a wash of them this time round. They failed to live up to expectation by failing to make it past the group stage two years ago. So, that leaves a scrap between Gabon and Cameroon.

Being hosts, Gabon could make it through because they really look fairly comfortable, with the home support and the goals of Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Prediction: Gabon, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau.

Group B: Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Zimbabwe

This is a tricky group to call. Algeria, because of the presence of African Footballer of the Year Riyad Mahrez, are expected to be a threat. But are they hanging all of their hopes on him?

The Desert Foxes will hope that Mahrez raises his game as he has been a little disappointing for Leicester this season and, therefore, the Algerians can be caught in this one.

Senegal look to have just a little more energy about them here and with Liverpool’s Sadio Mane potentially going to be one of the big stars of the show, then they can make a run at winning the group, which will be highly-important going forward.
Prediction: Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Zimbabwe.

Group C: Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Morocco, Togo

This group could be full of tension and fireworks because you have some strong contenders in his one. Obviously the reigning champions Ivory Coast are the stand-out name in the group and they are running as favourites to top it. 

But the golden generation for them has passed; so, they are looking towards the youth now like Wilfried Zaha and Eric Bailly to carry them forward. They should qualify for the knockout stages, but not without coming under pressure from the DR Congo and Morocco.

Morocco are seen as a big dark horse for the tournament and they have Herve Renard in charge who led Zambia to the 2012 title and then the Ivory Coast to their title in 2015.
Prediction: Ivory Coast, Morocco, DR Congo, Togo.

Group D: Ghana, Mali, Egypt, Uganda

Ghana, who lost the final in 2015 to the Ivory Coast, should be comfortable enough in this one to dive through to the knockout stage of the competition. They are just so solid and efficient. 

Frankly, Mali have gone backwards and look well short of quality and it has been a long time since Uganda were here that they aren’t likely to offer up too much threat.

So, Egypt should also be comfortable in his one. The return of Egypt is fascinating after everything that the country has gone through since they won the 2010 edition of the event.
This is the first time they have qualified since then and look to be back on track with Hector Cuper at the helm.
Prediction: Ghana, Egypt, Mali, Uganda.

Group A January 14@7pm: Gabon v Guinea-Bissau
January 14@10pm: Cameroon v Burkina Faso   
Group B: January 15@7pm: Algeria v Zimbabwe   
January 15@10pm: Tunisia v Senegal
Group C January 16@7pm: Ivory Coast v Togo    
January 16@10pm: Morocco v DR Congo   Â