(BEIJING, February 3) -- The African Olympic men's volleyball qualifications, originally scheduled to begin February 1 in Johannesburg, have been moved to February 3 in the South African city of Durban.
The changes came at the heel of the African Olympic women's volleyball qualifications. Originally scheduled for January 20-28 with 12 teams attending the week-long tournament, the women's qualifications were instead held from January 22-28, with only five teams appearing. Algeria have qualified for the Beijing Olympic Games.
Egypt are favored to top the tournament. They were the champion of the African Nations Cup and the All-Africa Games. They won three matches during the World Cup in Japan, which was the best result for any African team. This year, they will compete in the FIVB World League for the third year in a row.
Tunisia may be a giant killer for Egypt. They are the first runner-up behind Egympt in the African Nations Cup and the All-Africa Games. The second runner-up, Cameroon, consist of several European-based players.
The Algerian men are confident of the tournament after their counterparts qualified for the Olympic Games.
Host South Africa, Nigeria, the Kingdom of Morocco, Rwanda, Mozambique and Gabon will also fight for the ticket to Beijing. Only the champion of the tournament will qualify.
The curtain will fall on the tournament on February 9.
