Chris Musumba
8 July 2009
Nairobi — Cameroon, Tunisia and Senegal arrived in the country on Wednesday to vie for the solitary ticket reserved for Group C in the 2010 women's volleyball World Championship qualifier.
Hosts Kenya are, however, favourites in the quartet to land the ticket to Japan next year when the three-day tournament starts tomorrow at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Tunisia coach Hachicha Mohamed said they are in the country to break a decade-long jinx as they seek to secure their first victory over Kenya.
On the three occasions the two sides have met, Kenya maintained a 100 per cent record, winning twice in straight sets and edging out the North Africans 3-2 in Abuja in 2006 during the African Nations Cup tournament.
"We had a one-week residential camp in Cairo before travelling to Nairobi. We got tall players but still Kenya have an upper hand. Senegal and Cameroon have young players and should not be underrated," said Mohamed.
Cameroon team manager Yende Tiaoyuoe Lavoisiu lamented the weakening of his squad by the absence of three dependable players based in France.
The West African champions, however, have three other professionals to field - Ngo Nkot Rebecca, Messina Marguerite and Ombassa Marie Terese.
"Cameroon are here to win and make their second trip to the World Championship," said Lavoisiu.
Senegal proved their consistency in the second round when they defeated Nigeria in Lagos to qualify for the third round in Nairobi.
Their team will heavily rely on left attacker Bineta Ndiaye.
Raised the bar
Tunisia, who also had a bye to the third round, stand a chance to the ticket, having finished third at the last Nations championship. They will depend on experienced players Nihel Ghoul and Zohra Rihane.
Cameroon, captained by veteran Asta Gamkoua Juliette, was among three African teams in the 2006 championship in Japan, besides Kenya and Egypt.
The Egyptians are in yet another qualifier in Batna against hosts Algeria, South Africa and Mauritius in Group D from July 22.
Kenya will peg their hopes on captain Praxicedes Agala, who had a year's professional stint in Turkey, as well as Dubai-based setter Janet Wanja. The two have raised the bar, improving the team's rotation and striking force.
Having missed the Beijing Olympics, Kenya have set sights on the World Championship in November, the 2011 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics.
Only two African teams will be making it to Japan as the continent's best sides seek their first victory on the global arena, where Tunisia played in 1986 and Kenya are yet to register victory after four attempts (1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006).
Kenya: Jane Wacu, Janet Wanja, Praxicedes Agala, Jackline Baraza, Mildred Odwako, Joan Chelagat, Lydia Maiyo, Mercy Moim, Esther Muombe, Edna Rotich, Asha Makuto, Judith Tarus, Abigaelo Tarus, Roselyne Odhiambo
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 The Nation. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
