NAIROBI, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's two volleyball clubs - the General Service Unit (GSU) and Prisons are among the 32 teams that have confirmed participation in this year's Men's African Club Championship in Cairo, Egypt.
The 10-day tournament, will see the best talent from the continent battle it out for the single slot to represent Africa at the World Club Championships, which will be co-hosted by Italy and Bulgaria with eight teams competing in the tournament, including two wild cards.
Russia's Zenit Kazan defeated Italy's Cucine Lube Civitanova in the finals of last year's tourney in Poland to win the title.
Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) said on Wednesday this will be a record entry for the competition which starts from March 27 to April 5.
"The just ended women's championship attracted 19 clubs, which was also the highest record for the female category," said Tarek Al-Adwar CAVB Spokesperson.
However, CAVB has been forced to drop eight teams over poor rankings and only 24 clubs will be accepted to participate in the competition according to CAVB regulations.
They will be divided into four preliminary pools with the best two sides moving on to the knockout stage.
The final list of team will be released just before the drawing of lots is done in Cairo on Monday. Host Egypt has four clubs including defending champions Al Ahly, Aviation Sporting, Talaea Elgiesh and Smouha Sports Club. Kenya has league champions General Service Unit and runner's up Prisons.
Other teams are Olympique Milien Ketamien (Algeria), Al Swehly, Ahly Benghazi (Libya), DGSP (Congo), University of Zimbabwe, Support Unit (Zimbabwe), Swimbluepal (Seychelles), Nemo Stars (Uganda), Red Skins (Lesotho), Kampala Amateur Club (Uganda), Wolaitta Dicha (Ethiopia), Bafia, Port Volleyball, Forces Armees Et Police (Cameroon), As Police, Finances (Benin), Mwangaza, VC Espoir (DRC), AS Police (Ivory Coast), ASFA (Senegal), Army Club, Karary, Alnahada (Sudan), USFA, Rukinzo (Burundi), and Gisagara (Rwanda).
