Thursday

Group A

Rwanda Vs Kenya 6pm

Group B

South Africa Vs Egypt 10am

Rwanda will be upbeat to start their title challenge with victory when the men’s national sitting volleyball team face Kenya in their first match of the African ParaVolley Championships at Amahoro Stadium on Thursday.

The game gets underway at 6pm.

Rwanda makes Group A along with Kenya and Morocco, while Pool B comprises Egypt, South Africa and Algeria.

The men’s team embark on their title chance, just two days after their women counterparts retained the African Champions title to qualify for the next year’s Paralympic Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan.

Speaking to Times Sport on Wednesday, skipper Emile Vuningoma said that the team is ready to follow in the footsteps of their ‘sisters’ as they look for a ticket to Paralympics again after missing the 2016 Rio Games.

"We were inspired by our sisters on Tuesday, and the target is to follow in their footsteps.”

After Thursday’s Group A opener against Kenya, Rwanda will face Morocco next on Friday. The semi-finals and final are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

The women’s team clinched the African championships for a third successive year Tuesday night after beating Egypt in the final.

The African championships also double as qualifiers for the Paralympic Games, with only the champions in either category – men and women – assured of a ticket to Tokyo 2020.

Squad:

Dominique Bizimana, Jean-Baptiste Ndayisaba, Callixte Twagirayezu, Fidèle Gatete, Fulgence Hagenimana, Jean Semana, Jean-Claude Ndahiro, Innocent Niyitegeka, Baptiste Murema, Emile Cadet Vuningabo, Jean-Bosco Ngizwenimana, and Callixte Nzeyimana.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com