NAIROBI, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Prisons volleyball club is hopeful their hard work in training will be rewarded with victory at the Africa Club Championships, which will be staged in Caro, Egypt from March 6-15.

Head coach David Lung'aho has moved to camp with his team and hopes to blend both young and experienced players to recapture the title they last won four years ago.

"We have made progress in strengthening the team. The players are responding very well, the young players that we brought on board like Sharon Chepchumba and Laureen Chebet will be critical in learning the new strength.

"We know each team enters this competition with hopes of winning. But we need to focus on building our own winning mentality, strengthening it and making the players feel they are the best and hopeful that will inspire them to perform better this time," said Lung'aho.

Over 20 clubs have already have confirmation their participation, beating the old record of 18 teams which happened twice in 2008 and 2017.

Among the teams eyeing the continental glory are hosts Al-Ahly of Egypt, who have been successful in the competition a record eight times.

Another local side Kenya Pipeline, will be eyeing their eighth title with other teams being defending champions Carthage, Marsa (Tunisia), El-Shams Club (Egypt), Alexandria Sporting (Egypt), DGSP (DRC), Asec Mimosas (Cote d'Ivoire), Vision VB, Nkumba University (Uganda), BDF (Botswana), AS Douanes, Muzinga (Burundi), Canon de Ndjii, VB Club (Congo), Injis, FAP, Bafia and Nyong et Kelle (Cameroon).

Last year, Prisons won bronze after edging out former champions Al-Ahly 3-2 in an event that was hosted in Monstir City, Tunisia with home side Carthage beating El-Shams in the finals to claim the gold medal.

Lung'aho is keen to dig deep and stage a surprise to his North African rivals. The winners of this competition will have another chance to compete at the qualifying events for the World Club Championships.