NAIROBI, Dec. 18 -- 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.
2016届高考英语二轮复习专项训练:专题限时检测(14)完形填空之说明文体和议论文体
2016届高考英语二轮复习精讲学案:专题05 介词与介词短语(原卷版)
2016届高考英语二轮复习精讲学案:专题10 连词和状语从句(原卷版)
2016届高考英语二轮复习精讲学案:专题14 阅读理解(原卷版)
2016届高考英语二轮复习专项训练:专题限时检测(9)情景交际
2016届高考英语二轮复习词汇综合练:06(解析版)
2016届高考英语二轮复习专项训练:专题限时检测(6)情态动词和虚拟语气
2016届高考英语二轮复习专项训练:专题限时检测(12)完形填空之夹叙夹议文体(1)
2016届高考英语二轮专项复习课件:Book4 4.5(新人教版)
2016届高考英语二轮复习专项训练:专题限时检测(11)完形填空之记叙文体(2)
2016届高考英语二轮复习专项训练:非选择题专练卷(1)
2016届高考英语二轮复习精讲学案:专题08 动词的时态和语态(原卷版)
2016届高三英语二轮复习课件:专题5 书面表达 第1节 第2讲 如何写记叙文的摘要
2016届高考英语二轮专项复习课件:Book5 5.4(新人教版)
2016届高考英语二轮复习词汇综合练:06(原卷版)
2016届高考英语二轮复习专项训练:专题限时检测(21)阅读理解主旨大意类之全文大意题与段落大意题
2016届高考英语二轮复习专项训练:非选择题专练卷(2)
2016届高考英语二轮复习专项训练:专题限时检测(8)特殊句式及其他
2016届高考英语二轮复习精讲学案:专题02 代词(原卷版)
2016届高三英语二轮复习课件:专题5 书面表达 综述 高考作文如何判分
2016届高考英语二轮专项复习课件:Book5 5.3(新人教版)
2016届高考英语二轮复习专项训练:专题限时检测(23)阅读理解词义猜测类之短语与句意理解题
2016届高考英语二轮复习精讲学案:专题04 动词及动词短语(原卷版)
2016届高三英语二轮复习课件:专题5 书面表达 第1节 第8讲 如何写议论文
2016届高考英语二轮复习精讲学案:专题06 非谓语动词(原卷版)
2016届高考英语二轮复习精讲学案:专题13 情景交际(原卷版)
2016届高考英语二轮复习精讲学案:专题03 形容词和副词(原卷版)
2016届高考英语二轮复习词汇综合练:07(解析版)
2016届高考英语二轮复习精讲学案:专题11 定语从句(原卷版)
2016届高考英语二轮复习精讲学案:专题09 名词性从句(原卷版)
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |