The U-20 national handball team is stepping up preparations for the upcoming International Handball Federation Africa Zone V Challenge, a regional tournament that gets underway from October 24 - 30 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The six-day competition will attract U-20 national teams from various East African countries.

Since October 14, Antoine Ntabanganyimana, the head coach of Rwanda’s U-20 national team, has been putting his players through drills in Huye District, in a bid to get them in good shape for the competition.

"The preparations are going well. Our only target is to win this tournament because it will not be the first time we are winning it,” Ntabanganyimana said.

"We are fit and mentally ready for the tough mission in Kenya,” he added.

In 2016, the U-20 national handball team claimed the trophy after beating hosts Uganda at the finals.

In 2018, the team repeated the heroics, winning the tournament at the expense of Uganda once again.

Meanwhile, the U-18 national team will also participate in the U-18 International Handball Federation Africa Zone V Challenge Trophy tournament.

Both the U-18 and U-20 teams will set-off for Nairobi on October 22.

Men’s juniors’ provisional squad:

Dominique Nsabimana, Prince Shema, Celestin Reba, Amurani Nshimiyimana, Jean d’Amour Byiringiro, Emmanuel Iragena, Fabrice Iradukunda, Emmanuel Kubwimana, Samuel Mugabo, Ernest Yesurakiza, Thierry Hakizimana, Etienne Ndayisabye, Maurice Nsangayezu, Ivan Patrick Rugwiro, Alain Iradukunda and Donath Nshimyumukiza.

Youth provisional squad:

Arsene Uwayezu, Moussa Ufitinema, Fred Nshimyumuremyi, Fiacre Iryivuze, Moise Uwase, Samuel Mbesutunguwe, Karim Niyonkuru, Dieudonne Hakizimana, Jean Pierre Ndayishimiye, Prince Akimu Mupipi, Issai Izabayo, Andre Akayezu, Jean Damascene Bazimaziki, Stephen Bavandimwe, Aime Vedaste Niyoyita and Jean de Dieu Muhozi.