NAIROBI, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Kenya seeks revenge on return to the volleyball Africa Cup of Nations, which starts in Cairo, Egypt on July 7-15.
Two years ago, Kenya lost to Egypt in the finals, but Waithaka Kioni, president of Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), said here Thursday that the team is seeking vengeance and boost morale ahead of the Intercontinental Olympic qualifying tournament set for August in Italy.
Champions Egypt, Kenya, Tunisia, Ghana, Libya, DR Congo, Cameroon, Morocco, Nigeria, Algeria, Botswana, Rwanda and Chad will compete in Cairo.
"Egypt are the defending champions. I believe we will put a good show in Cairo. We have had good preparations since May and the government has facilitated us well so what is remaining is to bring glory home," Kioni said.
The Kenyan team will depart Friday morning for Cairo.
Furthermore, the Olympic qualifiers start in Rome from August 2-4. Only the winner will secure a ticket to 2020 Tokyo Games. Kenya last competed at the Olympics in Athens in 2004. Should Kenya fail, they still have another chance through the Africa Olympic qualifiers in April next year to secure their berth in Tokyo.
Kioni also said the team will have another test in September to prove their worth at the World Cup in Japan.
Kenya and Cameroon have been picked for the World Cup set for September 14 to 29 owing to their high rankings by the global volleyball governing body FIVB.
Kenya are pooled alongside hosts Japan, Cameroon, Serbia, China, South Korea, Russia, the Netherlands, the United States, Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Argentina.
