RWANDA SENIOR volleyball national team player Flavien Ndamukunda has tipped the U23 side to shine at the Africa Championships, which will be staged in Egypt from November 4-13.

"I believe that they can make Rwanda proud. We played with them (in a warm-up game) and they showed that they are capable of beating big teams,” noted the senior team captain.

The former, GSOB, Petit Seminaire Karubanda, Inatek player added: "We came to motivate them during the warm- up games, and we hope the two games will help them to prepare well for the competition.”

Paul Bitok’s U23 team is expected to depart for Egypt on Monday for continental championships where the two finalists will represent Africa at the FIVB Men’s U23 World Championships which will be held in Brazil from October 6-13 next year.

Meanwhile, Rwanda U23 left attacker Barack Rugira suffered an ankle injury during the warm-up game against a select side on Wednesday.

However, team doctor Emmanuel Sibomana Rusika, said the injury is not as bad as was first feared. "He will be fine after three days. We believe he will be fit to travel with the team.”