体坛英语新闻：Kenya, Algeria to battle for Africa crown

NAIROBI, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will seek revenge while Algeria will seek to stamp her authority as continental powerhouse when the two sides meet at the finals of Africa women's volleyball championships in Nairobi on Saturday.

The two countries have both clinched the ticket to the FIVB World Cup in Japan in September as the best two ranked teams in the tournament and will only be playing for bragging rights.

Kenya captain Praxcedes Agala said they will be keen to revenge on their loss to the Algerians back in 2011, which saw Kenya miss the London Olympics.

"We are ready," she said in Nairobi on Friday. "It is a matter of national pride and the team has done its part to reach here, we must finish off the job."

Algerian coach Francois Salvagni said the start of fasting during the month of Ramadhan by some Muslim players might affect the performance of his squad, but the Italian is confident they will weather the storm.

"Kenya have quality players and their setters can change the rhythm of the game any time. But we are ready for any opponent," said Salvagni.

Cameroon and Senegal will battle for the bronze medal. The tournament had attracted eight teams including Morocco, Tunisia, Botswana and Mauritius.

Alongise the Africa Nations Championships, Kenya team will also compete in the All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo (September), 2016 Olympic qualifiers (October), World Grand Prix, as well as beach Volleyball competitions.

The World Cup will have only 12 teams. Host Japan will be joined by the world champions and two teams from each of the five continental confederations for both the women' s event, which will take place from Aug. 22 to Sept. 6, and the men' s competition which runs from Sept. 8-23.

China and South Korea will join the women' s competition from Asia. Europe will be represented by Russia and Serbia. Two more teams will come from North, Central America & Caribbean Confederation while an additional two will come from South America.

Brazil will not participate in either competition as they are already qualified for next year' s Games in Rio as the competition host. Top four teams at the World Cup will qualify for the Rio Olympic Games.