Monday Group A Tanzania 22-35 Kenya

Group B Uganda 29-30 Rwanda

Defending champions Rwanda U20 handball team got off to a winning start to the regional Challenge Trophy narrowly beating hosts Uganda 30-29 on Monday at Lugogo stadium in Kampala.

The victory came as a near surprise for a team that only confirmed their participation in the event three days prior to the tournament.

The two youthful teams played a 14-all first-half before Rwanda cruised to a 16-15 second-half win to register their first win.

Anaclet Bagirishya’s boys will be back in action on Wednesday Sudan.

After their opening victory, excited Bagirishya told Times Sport in a telephone interview from Lugogo that, "The boys showed commitment and character, and deserved the win. Nonetheless, there is no room to relax; we turn our attention to the next games.”

At the 2016 edition, Rwanda defeated Uganda 38-32 in the final to win the biennial regional tournament.

In another match held on Monday, Kenya overpowered Tanzania in a 35-22 win in Group A.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw