RWANDA’s APR women volleyball club have reached the final of the 2024 Nyerere International Championship after eliminating Star Girls Volleyball Club of Tanzania from the cup semi-finals on Sunday.

The army side became the first team to seal their final berth, following their impressive performance which saw them overcome the home side in three straight sets 25-16, 25-20, 25-11.

APR finished at the top of the table in the round robin system with nine points after winning all three games. Tanzania Prisons followed in second place while Chui and Star Girls complete the standings in third and fourth positions.

Pater Kamasa’s ladies will now face Tanzania’s Prisons in the final on Monday hoping to win the trophy they last won in 2017. The latter set up the final date with APR after edging compatriots Chui on Sunday in straight sets 26-24, 25-8 and 25-15.

Meanwhile, in men’s category, 2023 winners APR qualified for the final after beating Tanzania Prisons 3-0 sets. They are now one win away from defending the trophy as they get set take on Rukinzo of Burundi who saw off Serengeti Volleyball Club 3-2 in a five-set semifinal thriller.

Organised by Tanzania Amateur Volleyball Association (TAVA), the Nyerere International Championship takes place annually in commemoration of the death of the country’s founding father Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.

The week-long multidiscipline event, also known as Nyerere Cup, is held every year in honour of former Tanzania President Julius Nyerere. This year’s edition is taking place in Moshi.