Today

Semi-finalsEgypt vs Algeria 2pmCongo vs Rwanda 4pm

SaturdayRwanda 3-0 Cape VerdeAlgeria 3-1 Ghana

Women’s beach volleyQuarter-finalsRwanda 2-1 Algeria South Africa 2-0 Guinea Kenya 2-0 Mozambique Nigeria 2-0 Rep. of Congo

Rwanda overwhelmed Cape Verde 3-0 on Saturday to set up a semi-final clash against hosts Republic of Congo in men’s volleyball at the ongoing All Africa Games in Brazzaville.

Semi-finalists four years ago in Maputo, Rwanda, overcame a shaky start after losing the first two matches against Algeria and Ghana, to register convincing wins against Seychelles, Cameroon and Cape Verde.

Paul Bitok’s side had an easy job yesterday, winning in straight sets 25-17, 25-23 and 25-18 in just 74 minutes. Outside hitter Christophe Mukunzi finished a game high 19 points, while Helio Sanches led the losers with 8 points.

After the match, Bitok hailed his men for the efforts put in reaching the semi-finals from Pool B along with Algeria, who will now face Africa’s top ranked team, Egypt.

"Our initial target was to reach the semi-finals, and now that we have achieved it, we can start to look further. Coming from the group was not easy especially after losing the first two matches. Nonetheless, I am confident we call pull off another great win against the hosts,” the Kenyan trainer told Sunday Sport by phone from Brazzaville.

Rwanda (10 points), who qualified for semi-finals as pool B first runners-up behind Algeria with 14 points, snatched the ticket on the expense of reigning champions Cameroon and Ghana, who finished third and fourth with 9 points apiece.

In Pool A, hosts stunned gold medal favorites Egypt in a 5-setter thriller 3-2 (25-21, 19-25, 19-25, 25-22, 15-13) on Friday to finish top of the table with 11 points, one ahead of the north African giants.

Should Rwanda beat hosts to reach the final, this will be the first time in five attempts at the quadrennial Africa’s sports event since debuting in 1999 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Rwanda beat Algeria to reach semis

Meanwhile, Rwanda women’s beach volleyball team overcame Algeria in three sets (2-1) on Saturday evening to reach semi-finals.

Denise Mutatsimpundu and Charlotte Nzayisenga have shown real intent of bribing the gold medal back home after winning all three group matches against Niger, Zimbabwe and hosts Republic of Congo to finish top of the table.

Yesterday, Rwanda faced arguably the hardest challenge against Algeria in the tournament so far after coming from a one set 21-16 behind to win second set 21-16 and third set 15-9.