Yakan, Mutabazi join camp ahead of Africa Cup of Nations

Volleyball national team assistant captain right attacker Lawrence Yakan Guma and left attacker Yves Mutabazi will join the national team camp on Wednesday for the final preparations ahead of the Africa Cup of nations which will be held in Egypt from October 20- 30.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Yves Mutabazi (L) and Lawrence Yakan Guma. (Sam Ngendahimana)

Volleyball national team assistant captain right attacker Lawrence Yakan Guma and left attacker Yves Mutabazi will join the national team camp on Wednesday for the final preparations ahead of the Africa Cup of nations which will be held in Egypt from October 20- 30.

 "We have a very difficult job to do ahead of us because it is not easy against other big teams in Africa but the boys are motivated and want to deliver so we believe we will have a good tournament,” head coach Paul Bitok said.

Yakan has been a key player for Rwanda since 2006. The Ugandan-born star started his career at Ugandan side Sport-S before joining Kigali Volleyball Club in 2005 from where he signed for APR before joining Algerian side Etoile Sportif Setif in 2011.

The 30-year-old also played for Etoile Sportive Setif, Turkish side Palandoken Belediye – Erzurum and currently plays Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler.

 Mutabazi has been on trials with Greece volleyball league side Iraklis Halkida VBC. Mutabazi was crowned the MVP in the KAVC Memorial Tournament, Genocide Memorial Tournament and National volleyball league.

Meanwhile, Bitok named three young players in his squad. They include libero Simon Rwigema and center player, Ronald Muvara (second division side Rusumo High School),  setter Jean Paul Sibomana (IPRC South), and centre player Prince Kanamugire (APR).

Rwanda will battle against African giants Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Kenya and Libya and the Africa Cup of Nations will act as qualification finals for the 2018 FIVB World championship.

The top three teams will book tickets to the World Championship.

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