(BEIJING, January 29) -- A total of 17 teams will experience tough competition for the only ticket to the Beijing Olympic Games when the African men's volleyball qualifications kick off on February 1 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The qualifications will be slated for February 1-10. Participant countries include Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Gabon, Guinea, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Liberia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunis, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
"Our athletes set only one goal. That is a place in Beijing," the coach of the favorites Egypt said.
The team has made preparations for the qualifications since January 16. They have played four friendly games with a Portugal club and two with the Moroccan men's team. A total of 17 players have been picked for the qualification preparations, but only 12 can appear in Johannesburg.
The year of 2007 belongs to Egypt. 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 FIVB World League for the third year in a row.
