The national men’s volleyball team will next Wednesday start preparations for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and 2018 FIVB Men’s World Championships qualifiers scheduled for October 20-30 in Tunisia.

Rwanda finished in second place behind Kenya at the Zone V tournament which was held in Rwanda last month, but got qualification slot.

"We will provide full details about the team’s training program on Friday but preparations will start on Wednesday next week,” head coach Paul Bitok said on Thursday.

Rwanda reached the final qualification round for 2018 FIVB Men’s World Championships after finishing as first runners-up in the recently concluded FIVB-Africa Zone V Championships behind winners, Kenya.

Rwanda scooped silver medal after finishing second behind Kenya, who stunned the Zone V tournament hosts in the final 3-1 to claim the title but both teams qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

In other matches, Rwanda won against South Sudan 3-0 (25-18, 25-13 and 25-17) and also beat Uganda 3-1 (25-23, 25-17, 19-25 and 25-21) before losing to Kenya 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 23-25 and 25-21).

Kenya lost to Uganda 3-2 and beat South Sudan 3-0. Uganda took third position while winless South Sudan finished bottom.

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