The Kenya men's senior volleyball team, Wafalme Stars, will serve off their CAVB Men's African Nations Volleyball Championship campaign tonight with a daunting match against hosts Tunisia from 2100 hrs.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsKenya, who were inactive in the tournament's opening day of action on Tuesday, will have a mountain to climb in their first clash of this year's continental tourney.President Ruto defends Sports Fund securitisation amid Ksh100 billion repayment concernsWafalme are in Pool A alongside Tunisia and Ghana, all of whom will be keen to emerge as group leaders.Powered by gaming giant Mozzart Bet, Wafalme Stars head into the tournament harbouring the dream of a podium finish that will earn them a place at the 2027 FIVB Men's World Cup.##NAJAVA_MECA_9962410##The dream will encounter its first major hurdle in the form of Tunisia, who are ranked 44th in the FIVB World Rankings, making them the second-highest-placed team, trailing only Egypt in 26th.The Carthage Eagles are also the most decorated African nation, having won the African Nations Championship 11 times, with seven other finals ending in tears.Wafalme Stars land hosts, Ghana as African Championship gets underwayWafalme, on the other hand, finished 9th in the last African Nations Championship, although they lost only to Egypt in the continental tourney.Nonetheless, Wafalme will be encouraged by the fact that Tunisia failed to achieve a podium finish in the 2023 edition, a possible indicator of the North African nation faltering.##NAJAVA_MECA_9962379##Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Wafalme Stars head coach Gideon Tarus was confident of matching Tunisia despite their might after undergoing rigorous preparations."We managed to play one friendly match against Rwanda on Monday, and from that we have identified areas that we needed to clean up ahead of today's match. We also had a chance to watch both our opponents in their opening match on Tuesday, and that gives us an advantage as we have identified areas to tweak ahead of the game."Malkia Strikers coach lists ingredients needed for success at Volleyball World Cup"They (Tunisia) are a good side, highly ranked and very tactical, but that's what we came here for: to face the best in the continent. To qualify for the World Cup or the Olympics is no mean feat, so we have to be ready for every opponent. Compared to our last outing, we have a more experienced squad, and I am confident we can match them."A win against Tunisia will place Kenya in pole position to finish top of Pool A and book a direct ticket to the quarter-finals alongside Group B and C leaders.##NAJAVA_MECA_9962375##Coach Gideon Tarus will be hoping that the preparations and training the team has undergone will bear fruit.Wafalme Stars African Nations SquadOutside HittersMoses Kamau, Denis Esokon, Nicholas Matui, Denis OmolloMiddle BlockersLevis Ogutu, Simion Kipkorir, Brian Kamonde, Felix OgemboOpposite HittersPeter Kamara, Enock MogeniSettersBrian Melly, Kelvin KipkosgeiLibero PlayersHudson Kipchumba, Stephen Barack
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