The stage is set for the start of the CAVB Men’s Beach Volleyball Continental Cup finals due to begin on the beaches of Flic en Flac in Mauritius on Friday with the drawing of lots deciding the opening match-ups.
Third-seeded Angola meets Egypt, while fourth seeds Mauritius will take on Congo Brazzaville in the quarterfinal matches on Friday.
With only six countries participating in the finals, both South Africa and Nigeria received a bye on the opening day of the competition.
The Technical Meeting was held on Thursday evening with all six participating countries attending. Mauritius Volleyball Federation president Kaysee Teeroovengadum, CAVB Beach Volleyball director May Alaa and referee delegate Drago Peslac were also present.
Members of the media also attended the meeting including MBC Radio and TV, as well the BBC World Service and local media.
Six teams will battle it out from Friday through to Sunday for a berth to the London 2012 Olympic Games, with the eventual champions guaranteed to step out at Horse Guards Parade in August.
Top seeds South Africa will be joined by Nigeria, Angola, Mauritius Congo Brazzaville and Egypt.
The competition will be held in a round robin format between the six countries with the second and third placed sides given another chance to reach London through the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Cup Olympic Qualification tournament which will take place in Tortoli, Italy from June 27 to July 1 World Cup.
The Flic en Flac beaches on the Western coast of Mauritius will provide the background for the competition.
How teams qualified
South Africa
The top seeded African country won gold at the sub zonal phase in Namibia on January 23, 2011 before finishing on top at the zonal phase in Mozambique on July 17, 2011. They won a third gold during the second round of the zonal phase in Togo on October 16, 2011.
Nigeria
Nigeria is ranked second and reached the finals by winning gold in the sub zonal phase in Benin on October 31, 2010 and then at the zonal phase in Ghana on August 18, 2011 before finally finishing second in front of their home fans on October 30, 2011.
Angola
Angola is ranked fourth as they didn’t participate in the sub zonal phase. However, they won the gold medal at the zonal phase in Gabon on August 7, 2011 and they added another gold during the second round in Nigeria on October 30, 2011.
Mauritius
Mauritius is ranked fifth as they didn’t participate in the sub zonal phase. They came third during the zonal phase in Mozambique on July 17, 2011 and finished second during the second round in Congo Brazzaville on October 23, 2011.
Congo Brazzaville
Congo Brazzaville is ranked sixth as they did not participate in the sub zonal phase, but they emerged in the zonal phase after winning silver in Gabon on August 7, 2011 before they capped off their route to the finals with gold in front of their home fans on October 23, 2011.
Egypt
Egypt is ranked eighth as they won the gold medal in Sudan on December 17, 2010 before they clinched the bronze at the zonal phase in Kenya on July 29, 2011. They finish second during the second round in Togo on October 16, 2011.
Teams
| Country | Teams | Player 1 | Player 2 | |
 ANG |
SEQUEIRA-SEQUEIRA | Eden Luri SEQUEIRA | Marcio SEQUEIRA | |
| ANG |
ABREU-SILVA | Morais ABREU | Mario SILVA | |
 CGO |
NGOTENI-MANDEMBO | Yvane NGOTENI | Mathurin Martial MANDEMBO | |
| CGO |
NAKAVOUA-AMBYERA | Ben NAKAVOUA | Marius AMBYERO | |
 EGY |
OKASHA-ATTA | Eslam OKASHA | Ahmed ATTA | |
| EGY |
METWALY-SHAHIN | Ahmed METWALY | Galal SHAHIN | |
 MRI |
MOONISAMY-LAURETTE | Stephane MOONISAMY | EMMANUEL LAURETTE | |
| MRI |
LOUISE-SOPHIE | ERIC LOUISE | SOPHIE MICHAEL GINO | |
 NGR |
ANYASODIKE-IJIGBA | Goodluck ANYASODIKE | Isaac IJIGBA | |
| NGR |
OSAS-ADAMU | JEFFREY OSAS OMORUYI | Abdulazeez ADAMU | |
 RSA |
FREDERICKS-WILLIAMS | Jerome FREDERICKS | Leo WILLIAMS | |
| RSA |
GOLDSCHMIT-CHIVA | Grant GOLDSCHMIT | Freedom CHIVA | 0 |