Nairobi — National women's volleyball team players can at last sigh with relief as they start their quest for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Abuja, Nigeria today.

The Kenya Charity Sweepstake donated Sh300,000 to the team yesterday, which will go towards offsetting the players' allowances.

On Sunday, the players left the country a disillusioned lot, with a meagre Sh3,000 each for their pocket money.

At the same time, the team will be boosted by the arrival of experienced libero Mercy Wesutila, who left the country yesterday.

Wesutila was left behind on Sunday due to lack of funds, which forced the Kenya Volleyball Federation to fly only ten players to Abuja. Trainer Paul Bitok also left yesterday for Abuja.

Meanwhile, it will not be easy for Kenya in Abuja as they launch their bid to qualify for the 2007 World Cup.

Top on the list of hot contenders today are hosts Nigeria, title holders Egypt, Kenya and Algeria.

Egypt and Nigeria are beaming with confidence. They have been in Abuja, where they took part in a four-nations African Gala Championship. England and Ireland also took part in the gala.

Kenya renew their long-time rivalry with Egypt when they meet in Abuja. The two teams last met during the Olympic qualifiers, where Kenya beat Egypt in the final to make it to Athens.

But, of more importance, Kenya will be out to reclaim the title that they lost to Egypt in 2002 in Nairobi and to qualify for the 2007 World Cup.

On the other hand, fast-rising Algeria will be out to prove a point. They narrowly missed a World Championship slot after they lost to Kenya during the qualifiers last month.

Hosts Nigeria cannot be written off on face value. They have been known to utilise home advantage. They beat Kenya to win the All Africa games title.

There were no big changes in the Kenyan squad, except for school girl Mercy Moim, who made her debut in the national team.

The squad has captain Violet Barasa (captain), Dorcas Ndasaba, Catherine Wanjiru, Lucy Chege, Asha Makuto, Salome Wanjala, Judith Serenge, Janet Wanja, Emily Chemutai, Moim and Wesutila.