Final

Rwanda         Vs   Egypt 5pm

Third place playoff

Cameroun    Vs   Nigeria 3pm

RWANDA under-20 women’s volleyball team will have a mountain to climb today as they face defending champions Egypt in the final of this year’s African U20 Women’s Volleyball Championship at Kasarani Indoor Stadium, in Nairobi, Kenya – starting at 5pm.

In what is guaranteed to be a much heated encounter, it will be a clash between hopefuls Rwanda against the continental powerhouse and seven-time reigning champions Egypt.

Ahead of the much anticipated game, the two youthful teams have already booked tickets to next year’s FIVB Volleyball women’s U20 World Championship – whose host nation is yet to be revealed.

Christophe Mudahinyuka’s side reached the final after defying odds to see off Cameroon in Friday’s semi-finals. The latter had advanced to the last four as Group A leaders.

Speaking to Sunday Sport in a telephone interview from Nairobi yesterday, head coach Mudahinyuka said his players are in good shape and are determined to put up another stunning performance as they bid for a historic first African Championship title.

"If there is anything I have learned from this tournament; it is to trust my players and their ability to shine against the odds. Good thing we played Egypt in group stages, we now have an informed impression about who we are facing, and we are ready! ” he said.

He further added that, "I know for a fact that we are considered underdogs ahead of the game, which motivates us to beat the narrative. It would be premature to promise the title, but I can assure Rwandans that we are going to do all we can to win and fly high our flag.”

Egypt and Rwanda volleyball women teams captured the final spot at the 2018 Women’s U20 African Nations championship following their respective victories over Nigeria and Cameroon.

Holders Egypt proved too strong for their Nigerian counterparts as they effortlessly beat the West African side 3-0 (25-7, 25-11, 25-8) after full Egyptian dominance.

Rwanda surprised dark horses Cameroon 3-1 (28-26, 23-25, 25-21, 25-22) in the other semifinal to qualify to their first ever African Championship final.

The re-match between Rwanda and Egypt will be preceded by the third-fourth place playoff pitting Cameroon against Nigeria, which goes underway at 3pm – same venue.

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