National volleyball team coach Paul Bitok has named an experienced side ahead of the upcoming African Nations Championship from July 21-30 in Cairo, Egypt.

The Kenyan tactician has included Captain Christophe Mukunzi who returns from a right wrist injury he sustained in the playoffs for his Turkish side Payas Belediye that took him out for three months.

The left attacker is excited on representing Rwanda once again but he said working together as a team will be key to their success at the continental showpiece that has attracted 10 countries including Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Botswana, Sudan, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda and Cameroon.

"I am glad to be back to the national side and now I feel much better having trained well this week. We have a good team and we are going to try and play to our strengths in Cairo,” said Mukunzi.

Bitok will also be relying on his assistant captain Lawrence Yakan Guma, who has steadily improved since hurting his right knee while playing for APR FC in the Genocide Memorial Tournament last month.

Pierre Marshal Kwizera, Flavien Ndamukunda and the newly-wed Vincent Dusabimana, will bring massive experience to Bitok’s side as Rwanda returns to the continental event for the first time since 2008.

"We want to try and make it to the semi-finals, that is our target. It will not be easy but we are going to try and do our best,” said the optimistic Bitok.

Youngsters Nelson Murangwa, Fred Musoni and Yves Mutabazi will also be hoping to make an impression on the continent having been impressive at the CAVB Zone V tournament hosted in Rwanda in May, where they helped the side qualify for the upcoming All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

Final 12-man squad:

Jean Bosco Mutabazi, Eugene Tuyishime, Olivier Ntagengwa, Yves Mutabazi, Pierre Marshal Kwizera, Flavien Ndamukunda, Vincent Dusabimana, Ivan Mahoro Nsabimana, Lawrence Yakan, Christophe Mukunzi (Captain), Fred Musoni, Nelson Murangwa.