NAIROBI, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Kenya may lack the professional experience of international handball, but is hopeful to ruffle feathers and clinch the single slot for the Tokyo Olympic Games during the continental qualifiers, which are set for January 2020 in Tunisia.
Head coach Peter Mwathi has recalled Rwanda-based goalkeeper Tyrus Omondi and Brian Mathews, who plays in Denmark to his 26-member squad as the country start their preparations.
With 16 teams confirming participation, Kenya coach hopes their return to the continental assignment will light a new ray of hope on their prospects as the country seeks to seal their maiden ticket to the Olympic Games.
"The national team is strong and focused. They know the size of their challenge and it is an inspiration for them to break the duck and win the ticket to the Tokyo Olympics," Mwathi said on Wednesday.
"There is not much time left now. We will have a short Christmas break and will resume serious preparations on Dec. 28. We will name the final squad three days after resuming training," he added.
Mansourou Aremou, president of the African Handball Confederation (CAHB), says the huge interest shown by the teams is a testimony the level of competition of the sport is growing.
Aremou also hopes African teams will be strong enough to lay claim to the Olympic medals in Tokyo.
"Africa has something to bring to the table. These teams have improved and will be strong contenders in the Olympic Games. For a long time, African teams made up the numbers but in 2020, there will be a change in focus," added Aremou in a statement.
Kenya was to compete at the Zone Five championships, but African Handball Confederation (CAHB) canceled the competition and awarded Egypt the ticket to the Africa Games based on their higher ranking. The two teams will clash in Tunisia for the Africa ticket to the Olympics with revenge very much up in the air.
Kenya is in Pool A alongside Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Guinea. They begin their campaign against DRC on Jan. 16 before facing Egypt a day later. They will complete their pool matches with a tie against Guinea on Jan. 19.
Pool B has Angola, Nigeria, Libya and Gabon. Hosts Tunisia, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire and Cape Verde are in Pool C while Pool D has Morocco, Algeria, Congo and Zambia.
So far host Japan, Denmark, two continental champions - Argentina for Pan American Games and Asian champion Bahrain - have already sealed their spots in the 24 teams for the Tokyo Olympics.