Volleyball youngsters hailed despite loss to Egypt in final showdown

Sunday Final Egypt 3-0 Rwanda Third place Cameroun 3-1 Nigeria The national U20 women’s volleyball team has been praised for a ‘job well done’ following their stellar performance at the just concluded African Championships staged in Nairobi, Kenya. Rwanda beat Cameroon in four (3-1) sets in the semi-finals last Friday to qualify for the 2019 FIVB Women’s U20 World Championships. However, Christophe Mudahinyuka’s side lost in straight sets (3-0) to eight-time winner and holders African champions Egypt in the final on Sunday. Egyptians won the game 25-18, 25-10 and 25-13, respectively. “We lost to the better side, I have nothing to blame my players for. Overall, they did great in the tournament, losing only to Egypt and qualifying for the World Championships was beyond everyone’s expectations,” coach Mudahinyuka told Times Sport yesterday. He further noted that, “We had less than a month of serious preparations, and still managed to reach the final. Certainly, we can be better and can do better if the girls are given more time to train together and get international friendly matches.” Making their second appearance in the tournament, following their 2010 debut when they finished fourth, Rwanda reached the final after edging out Cameroon while Egypt sent Nigeria packing in the other semi-final clash. Newly crowned African champions Egypt and finalists Rwanda will represent the continent at next year’s World Championships to be staged in Mexico. Ranking 1. Egypt 2. Rwanda 3. Cameroon 4. Nigeria 5. Kenya 6. RDC 7. Mauritius 8. Tanzania 9. Uganda editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Volleyball youngsters hailed despite loss to Egypt in final showdown