NAIROBI, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Kenya teams will seek to go beyond the semi-finals of the 2018 CAVB African Volleyball Men Club, which will be played in Cairo, Egypt starting Wednesday.

Kenya Prisons were close to winning the title in 2011, but were beaten in the finals by Al-Ahly and coach Paul Muthinja believes he can go one level better to clinch the Africa crown and a ticket to the World Club Championships in Italy.

"The team has more experience and focus at the moment. We face stiff challenge to emerge top because the North Africa clubs have better training and welfare, but we will give them a run for their money," said coach Muthinja.

Prisons will seek to end their poor run against the Egyptian as they launch their run for the title against the cup holders Al-Ahly in Pool A along with Police from Cote d'Ivoire, Espoir (Congo), Nemostar (Uganda) and Redskin (Lesotho).

"There are no weak teams in our draw. It is what you expect when you play at this high level of completion. It is down to what training and preparations you have done," added the coach.

Kenya's other team General Service Unit have been pooled alongside Port Club of Cameroon, Olumpique of Algeria, Kampala City Club of Uganda, Wollaitta of Ethiopia and Egypt's Elguish.

In Pool C FAP of Cameroon will battle it out with AS Police (Benin), Ahly Beni Ghazi (Libya), University of Zimbabwe, Smuoha (Egypt) and Mwangaza.