The African Volleyball Olympic Qualification Tournament for men started yesterday in Cairo, Egypt, to finish next Sunday(Jan. 30). Six National Teams struggle in a single round robin to clinch the direct qualification for Sydney 2000 granted to the winner of the event. The participating nations are Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Tunisia. In the opening competition day, Tunisia, the continental Champion and one of the favourites, beat Cameroon (3:1 / 25-13/ 18-25/ 29-27/ 25-18), Algeria beat Nigeria in straight sets (3:0 / 25-17, 25-22, 25-20) and host team Egypt beat South Africa also in 3 sets (3:0 / 25-20, 25-16, 25-22). Today’s match schedule (Jan. 26, 2nd competition day): Nigeria vs. Tunisia, Algeria vs. South Africa, Egypt vs. Cameroon Information and updates on the Olympic qualification process are available on the FIVB website: http://www.fivb.org/Olympics/2000-Sydney. _____________________________________________________________________ FIVB Communication Department – Contact: Carlos Sanchez Av. de la Gare 12, 1001 Lausanne – Switzerland Tel.: +41.21.345.3535 – Fax. +41.21.345.3545 E-mail: communication@fivb.ch – Website: http://www.fivb.org