By Oscar Pilipili

Tunisia defeated Cameroon 3-2 (27-25, 18-25, 25-18, 18-25, 16-14) in a five-set thriller of the 2010 Senior Women’s World Championship qualifier.

The Africa Zone C qualifier was a see-saw match with teams exchanging lead from the first to the fifth set at Moi International Sports Centre Gymnasium.

Tunisia coach Hachicha Mohamed, said they are in the country to break a decade long jinx as they seek to secure their first victory over Kenya.

However, Cameroon team manger Yende’ Tiaoyuoe Lavoisiu, said his squad is weakened by the absence of three dependable players based in France. But still, the West African champions have another three professionals in their squad Ngo Nkot Rebecca, Messina Marguerite and Ombassa Marie Terese.

"We are short of two players we used in Lagos for the second round matches. But that does not mean we doubt ourselves. Cameroon is here to win and make its second trip to the World Championship," said Lavoisiu.

Kenya play Tunisia in a crucial match that would have a pointer towards the winners of the tournament on Saturday starting at 4pm.

On the three occasions the two sides have met, Kenya maintained a 100 percent record winning twice in straight sets. They edged out the North Africans 3-2 in Abuja during the 2006 Africa Nations Cup tournament.

"We had a one week residential camp in Cairo before traveling to Nairobi. We got tall players but still Kenya has an upper hand. Senegal and Cameroon have young players and should not be underrated," said Tunisia coach Hachicha Mohamed.

Experienced players

Tunisia, who also had a bye to the third round, stand a chance to wrestle Kenya for the single ticket having finished third at the last African Nations championship.

They will depend on experienced players Nihel Ghoul and Zohra Rihane.

Cameroon, which is captained by veteran Asta Gamkoua Juliette, was one of the three

Africa teams that took part in the 2006 championship in Japan.

Kenya and Egypt were the other sides in the event. The Egyptians are also engaged in yet another qualifier in Batna against host Algeria, South Africa and Mauritius in Group D from July 22.

Only two teams will be making it to Japan this time round from Africa, as the continent’s best sides seek their first victory on the global stage. Tunisia, played at the global level in 1986 and Kenya (four times 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006) are still to register their victory.

Kenya will peg their onslaught on Dubai-based setter Janet Wanja, and captain Bracksides Agala who had a year’s stint in Turkey. The two have raised the standard bar, improving the team’s rotation and striking force.

Having missed the Beijing Olympics, Kenya has set its sights on the World Championship in November, the 2011 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics as it moves to seize its lost glory.

— Additional reports from FIVB