NAIROBI, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Kenya men's volleyball head coach Moses Epoloto says his team is under pressure to return to the Africa Games after missing the last three editions.
Nairobi will host this year's Zone Five Africa Games qualifiers from June 5 to 10 with Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Egypt and Rwanda having confirmed their participation.
However, Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) president Waithaka Kioni said South Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Burundi and Somalia are yet to confirm whether they will take part.
"We are privileged to stage the qualifiers. It gives Kenya the chance to qualify and we hope the boys will do everything to secure a berth at the Africa Games," said Kioni on Monday in Nairobi.
However, he warned that the bar has been raised since their last performance at the Africa Games in 2003, which were held in Abuja, Nigeria.
Epoloto says organizers have made it harder for teams to qualify, and that each zone will now have to go through qualification to secure the seven tickets available to link up with hosts Morocco at the finals, which will be held in Rabat in August.
"Kenya has a strong team, but we face strong opponents. There are seven zones and in each, only one team will qualify. Nairobi is hosting the men's qualifiers in June and as hosts, Kenya is under pressure to return to the Africa Games.
"I hope we will weather the storm and clinch the ticket," said Epoloto on Monday in Nairobi.
Kenya are the defending Zone Five volleyball champions, having beaten hosts Rwanda two years ago when they lifted the title in Kigali.
Epoloto says there are no scared players in his squad, and that everyone must work hard to make the final team for the tournament.
The coach welcomed back injured players Abiud Kipkirui, Noah Bett and Cornelius Kiplagat, saying they will boost team morale and competition for places.
"I am happy to have the trio back to the team. Having them in great shape is not only good for their individual careers but the team generally. Each player knows he must work hard to be included in the team," said the coach.