October 20

Esperance (Tun)           Vs      APR (Rwa) 10am

October 21

APR (Rwa)             Vs     Caiman (CGO) 2pm

October 22

APR (Rwa)             Vs     JSK (CoD) 4pm

October 24

FAP (CMR)             Vs     APR (Rwa) 2pm

APR Handball Club will begin their bid for CAHB Africa Champions League glory against Tunisian giants Espérance Sportive de Tunis Handball Club on October 20.

It will be a tough test for Rwanda’s only representative in Tunisia against last year’s finalists and one of the pre-tournament favourites. While Espérance won the 2013 edition, APR will be making their debut at the 39th edition of the annual continental showpiece.

The Rwandan military side has been drawn in Group A alongside Espérance of Tunisia, Cameroonian military side FAP, Caiman of the Republic of Congo and Jeunesse Sportive de Kinshasa (JSK) of DR Congo.

After the encounter against Espérance Sportive de Tunis, Anaclet Bagirishya’s side will be up against Caiman the following day before locking horns with JSK on October 22. APR will have a rest day on October 23 and wrap up their group stages against Les Forces Armées et Police (FAP) of Cameroon.

Kimisagara-based APR qualified for Africa’s biggest annual handball event after overcoming stiff challenge from archrivals Police to win the national handball league.

The ten-day long competitions have attracted a total 23 teams (15 for men and 8 for women). Rwanda won’t be represented in the women’s fray. The male teams have been drawn in three groups of 5 teams each while the women’s category has two groups of 4 teams each.

 Al Ahly of Egypt (men) and Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto of Angola (women) are the defending champions.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw