Fourteen teams will compete at Bosman Stadium in Johannesburg, with the winner qualifying directly for Tokyo 2020. 

Zimbabwe are the highest-ranked team, having triumphed in last year's final against Kenya. 

Now ranked second, the Kenyan side, who competed at Rio 2016, will be aiming to avenge their loss. 

"We're definitely looking forward to reclaiming the cup which we lost last year to Zimbabwe," said Kenyan team manager Erick Ogweno.

"This year's tournament is equally important as it also turns out to be an Olympic qualifier and it's every athlete's dream to compete at the Olympics."

Uganda, Madagascar, Zambia, Tunisia, Senegal, Morocco, Namibia, Ghana, Botswana, Mauritius, Ivory Coast and Nigeria will also participate. 

Lowest-ranked team Nigeria will face Zimbabwe in their opening match, but their coach Dele Coker has appeared confident prior to the tournament. 

"The boys have worked hard over the last two-and-a-half weeks and we look forward to seeing what the team can produce over the weekend," he said. 

The pool stage begins tomorrow, with the quarter-finals, semis and gold-medal match scheduled for Saturday (November 9). 

Teams that finish second and third will be given a place at the final Olympic qualifying tournament, set to be held in June next year.