National volleyball team coach Paul Bitok has named a strong 12-man squad for the upcoming All Africa Games scheduled for September 4-19 in Congo Brazzaville.

The Kenyan trainer has handed 23-year old Patrick Kavalo Akumuntu his first international outing in the absence of his brother Flavien Ndamukunda, who will be competing in the beach volleyball alongside Olivier Ntagengwa.

"I am very excited about this opportunity and I am going to make sure that I work hard to help the team to perform well at the All Africa Games,” said the delighted Kavalo.

Bitok has maintained the squad that competed at the Men’s African Nations Championship in Cairo, Egypt last month, adding libero Dada Emile Karera and setter Bonny Mutabazi.

The national side has been training twice a day and is scheduled to leave the country on August 29 for Congo Brazzaville.

Rwanda was placed in Group B along North African giants Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ghana and Seychelles while hosts Congo have been pooled in Group A alongside Botswana, The Gambia, Egypt, Nigeria and Mozambique.

Final squad:

Jean Bosco Mutabazi (APR), Bonny Mutabazi (APR), Patrick Kavalo Akumuntu (INATEK), Yves Mutabazi (APR), Pierre Marshal Kwizera (Rayon Sports), Dada Emile Karera (Rayon Sports), Vincent Dusabimana (INATEK), Ivan Mahoro Nsabimana (Russia), Lawrence Yakan Guma (APR), Christophe Mukunzi (captain – Payas Belediyesport), Fred Musoni (Rayon Sports), Nelson Murangwa (Rayon Sports).

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