Wednesday

Final

Tunisia 3-1 Egypt

Third place

Morocco 3-1 Rwanda

Rwanda U21 men’s volleyball team have finished in fourth place at this year’s African Championship after losing to Morocco in the third place play-off on Wednesday night.

The 2018 edition of the biennial continental showpiece which came to a climax yesterday, had started on September 12 in Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Tunisia were crowned the new African champions after upsetting then holders Egypt in four sets (16 – 25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-21) in the final, also played Wednesday night.

It is the 10th continental crown for the Eagles of Carthage.

Former champions Morocco overcame Rwanda in four sets (25-14, 27-29, 25-16, 31-29) to complete the medal podium.

The two North African giants, winners Tunisia and runners-up Egypt, will represent Africa at next year’s FIVB U21 Men’s World Volleyball Championships to be held in Bahrain.

Meanwhile, hosts Nigeria ended their campaign in the fifth place following their victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo 3-0 (32-30, 25-18, 25-20) in the ranking matches held on Tuesday.

In the other ranking match, Cameroon beat Chad 3-1 (18-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-16) to clinch the 7th place.

Bitok impressed despite Morocco defeat

Speaking to Times Sport in a telephone interview from Nigeria, the Rwandan side head coach Paul Bitok praised his players’ character, and tipped them for greatness.

He said: "We may have failed to win bronze but I am still impressed with the overall performance of the team. The boys played well throughout the tournament, I believe it is a generation that will take Rwanda to the top in the coming years.”

Rwanda also finished in fourth position at the 2010 edition of the tournament in Libya before making one step better to finish third in 2013 when the tourney was staged in Tunisia.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw