Group A: Algeria, Morocco, Guinea, Mali

Group B: Egypt, Tunisia, DRC, Rwanda

The U-18 men’s national handball team has been drawn in a tough group at the 18th edition of Men’s Junior African Nations Championship which is set for September 1-10 in Bamako, Mali.

Rwanda is in Group B along with Egypt, Tunisia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The continental event will attract eight nations and also serves as a qualifying tournament for the World Junior Handball Championship.

Rwanda, the sole representative from the East African region, will be competing in the 10-day tournament for the first time. Group A has Algeria, Morocco, Guinea and Mali.

Egypt are the defending and also ranked first in Africa, Tunisia re ranked third and DRC are at number eight while Rwanda are currently ranked 20th on the continent.

"It is a tough group because we have been tied with the two finalists from the last edition, Egypt and Tunisia, but we also have a talented group of players, and we started preparations early enough, it gives us a good chance to do well,” said national team head coach, Sylvestre Mudaharishema.

Since the first edition in 1980, Egypt has won a record 16 medals (11 gold, three silver and two bronze) followed by Tunisia with 15 (three gold, seven silver and five bronze) while Algeria are third with 10 (two gold, four silver and four bronze).