Botswana to play in Africa volleyball championships

Botswana men volleyball national team departed for Cairo, Egypt on Monday morning confident of a good showing at the 2015 African championship to start on Monday until July 31.

The team is in good shape as they just came from a two week intense training camp in preparation to the championship, said Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) Sports Development Officer Peaceful Seleka.

It has been taken through its paces by expert Cuban coach Manuel Torres, who said he was satisfied with his team's sharpness ahead of the championships.

"We are expecting competition to be very tough. The team is prepared both physically and psychologically, I am confident they will do well," Torres told the media ahead of their departure.

In Egypt, Botswana will face stiff competition against the giants of African volleyball in the likes of the host Egypt, Tunisia and Cameroon.

The top two teams at the championships will automatically qualify for the 2015 FIVB men's World Cup to be played in Japan from 8 to 23 on September.

The World Cup itself will form part of the qualification process to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Torres said they aim to go all the way and finish in the top two to fancy a chance to play against the world's best in Japan. He said he has a very balanced squad of youngsters as well as very experienced players who have played many international tournaments before.

Veteran outsider Shadrack Kapeko will be expected to lead Botswana to victory. Torres said morale in the camp is high as players believe they have what it takes to prove they are among the continent's best teams.

Botswana qualified for the African championships after winning the regional qualifier competition in 2014. The team is expected back home on July 31. Endi