NAIROBI, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have made last minute confirmation to bring to nine the number of teams that will be competing in the Women's Under-20 African Nations Championship which started in Nairobi on Sunday.

With the winner of the tournament assured of qualification to the 2019 FIVB World Under-20 Championship, host Kenya is entering its strongest side in a bid to have the title remain at home.

Led by coach Paul Gitau, the Kenyan tactician has expressed confidence in his side to excel.

The hosts have been drawn in Pool A and will open their account against Tanzania on Sunday evening. Other teams in the pool include Nigeria and Cameroon.

Pool B has defending champions Egypt, DRC, Mauritius, Uganda and Rwanda.

Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) president Amr Elwani said he is encouraged by the huge turnout when he led the teams through the drawing of lots where the teams were divided into two pools.

"Hosts Kenya face Tanzania on the opening day while Pool B feature two games as Mauritius play Congo and Egypt meet Uganda. The top two teams of each pool will proceed to the semifinal where Pool A winners meet second of Pool B runner up and Pool B winners against Pool A runner up," Elwani told Xinhua in Nairobi.

Kenya coach of the junior team will emulate their senior colleagues and win the tournament and qualify for the World Championships.

"Kenyan fans have high expectations because we are playing at home. I have interacted with these girls for the last ten days and I am convinced that we stand a chance of dominating this competition if we can start strongly. We are aiming at the title, but even if we lose, we shall go down fighting," said Gitau, who won the 2015 African Games title.

Egypt standout as favorite after winning the tournament last year. Enditem