Mogeni, Melly Kenya's surprise package in Morocco

Eight members of the national beach volleyball teams, four for each gender, leave the country tonight for Morocco where they will have a go at qualification to the Summer Games in a repeat second round qualifier. 

Coach Patrick Owino, the men's team tactician has exuded confidence in the duo of General Service Unit's Brian Melly and Kenya Ports Authority's Enock Mogeni who head to Morocco as the underdogs in a Kenyan team that also has the experienced duo of Kenya Prisons' Ibrahim Oduor and KPA's James Mwaniki. 

"Compared to where their game was when we were in camp for the 2020 qualifiers, they have improved tremendously and we expect them to pull a surprise in Morocco. While the opponents know what to expect from the other duo, Melly and Mogeni are new in this stage and with the preparations we have had they stand a big chance," 

"The experience of Mwaniki and Oduor adds to our chances of qualifying a team to Tokyo. We have prepared the best way we could since going to camp and, while the task ahead is weighty, we have tried to ensure the players are under no pressure so they can perform well," said coach Owino. 

Mogeni, who is making his debut in the national team, says he is ready for the task while Melly believes their pairing, though untested in a competitive setting will hold their own. 

The men's team will compete for the top two slots in Morocco to qualify for the final round against Botswana, Gambia, Tunisia, Congo, Brazzaville, South Africa, Cape Verde, Morocco and Tanzania.

Others are Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritius, Sudan, South Sudan, Togo, Sierra Leone, Niger, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

Kenya qualified for the second round after finishing second behind Tanzania during the zonal qualifiers held in Uganda last year. 

The pair of Gaudencia Makokha and Brackcides Agala as well as Yvonne Wavinya and Phosicah Kasisi will represent the country in women's competition.