Beach Volleyball: Egypt shatters Rwanda’s Olympic dream

Rwanda hopes of qualifying directly for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games turned into dreams after the 2-1 defeat against Egypt in the final of the CAVB Beach Volleyball final played on Sunday in Abuja, Nigeria,.

Monday, April 18, 2016
Rwanda's coach Paul Bitok and Team Rwanda receive their trophy after finishing as losing finalists in the final. (Courtesy)

Rwanda hopes of qualifying directly for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games turned into dreams after the 2-1 defeat against Egypt in the final of the CAVB Beach Volleyball final played on Sunday in Abuja, Nigeria,.

The pair of Seraphine Mukantambara and Judith Hakizimana was chasing for the African slot in the final competition but lost. Egypt won the first set 21-14, 21-17, Rwanda came back into the game winning the second 21-09, 21-18 before losing the third and decisive set, 21-19. 

It was a heart-breaking defeat for Rwanda, that finished 2nd ahead of hosts Nigeria, who took 3rd position.

But there is also a second chance for the Rwandan pair to reach Copacabana Beach as they qualified for the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Continental Cup where the winners and runners-up will earn their country the final two berths at Rio 2016.

Team Rwanda qualified to the finals following their victory over Mauritius in the semi-finals. And before, they swept aside Morocco 2-0 and went on to beat Namibia 2-0 (6-21, 9-21) in the ‘Golden Game’ which confirmed their place in the last four.

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