Cairo, Egypt, March 16, 2005 – Egyptian coach Hesham Badrawy has talked down his side’s favouritism tag ahead of the 2006 World Championship first round tournament (Africa Pool A) which begins in Cairo on Thursday and has signalled out Nigeria as the team to watch.

Egypt, ranked 17th in the world, are the pundits’ pick to win the tournament and claim a ticket to the 2006 World Championship final round in Japan (the first on offer, discounting Japan and Italy who automatically qualified as hosts and defending champions respectively) but Badrawy says Nigeria, who are ranked 25th on the FIVB world rankings, are to be watched closely.
Pic: Egyptian coach Hesham Badrawy with his team during the 2003 World Cup

"We have a great chance to be the first African team to claim a ticket to Japan as we have a very experienced and skilful squad, but we shouldn't forget the powerful Nigerian team," Badrawy said. "Usually matches between Egypt and Nigeria are five-set thrillers, absolutely fantastic games.”

With the three day tournament, which also involves South Africa and Botswana - who are both ranked 66th on the FIVB world rankings, starting in one day’s time Badrawy’s major concern is the fitness of his team.

Less than 24 hours before the start of the tournament, the hosts have seen their experienced middle player Neamat Abdelmonem suffer an injury in their final preparation camp. Neamat, along with Tahany Toson, is considered the most valuable player in Egypt's dream to claim a World Championship spot for the second successive time.

“We may lose one of our key players if she doesn't pass the physical test to be done on Wednesday, i.e. one day before the opening match," Badrawy said. The Egyptian coach has postponed the announcement of his final squad until the physical test has been completed.

Meanwhile, South Africa will arrive in Cairo on Wednesday via Kenya having completed their final preparation camp and three friendly matches against Kenyan clubs. South Africa won two of the matches and lost the third in an encouraging performance under the supervision of their Egyptian coach Abdelhamid Elwassimy.

By Tarek Al-Adwar, CAVB Press Officer.