Nsengiyumva praises team

Men’s sitting volleyballBosnia & Herzegovina 3-0 Rwanda (25-7, 25-12, 25-8)FOUR losses in as many matches for Rwanda men’s sitting volleyball team at the ongoing London Paralympic Games is neither a disappointment nor a shocker for the debutants.To be realistic at such an event is very important for any side competing at the world’s biggest sporting level for the first time, but this does not mean mediocrity will be expected or even tolerated.In the absence of national team head coach Pieter Karreman, who lost his mother-in-law and had to fly to Holland for the burial on Monday, his assistant Jean Pierre Nsengiyumva took charge of the Rwandan side that faced Bosnia & Herzegovina in their last preliminary game of Pool B on Monday night at the ExCel South Arena 2.Team captain Emile Vuningabo and Dominique Bizimana combined for an imposing combination at the net to check the opponent’s blocking prowess which had otherwise become such a hindrance at every attempt that Rwanda had on the attack.In a brilliant show of class and experience, Vuningabo served thrice to earn Rwanda three consecutive points after the first technical time-out but unfortunately the Europeans scored nine unanswered points to clinch the first set 25-7.Amidst strong support from the crowd including Bosnia fans, Rwanda put up one of their best displays by the first technical time-out 3-8 and in the same spirit of teamwork they maintained a decent margin from 7-10 to 8-10.By the second time-out, a see-saw ratio of 1:2 had been established against Bosnia which meant that at least for every two points the latter made, Rwanda scored one. The passion in the team, excitement and motivation was there and on went the momentum.Rwanda’s energy was put in check after a series of punishable mistakes for lifting and questionable reception but a good run of 25-12 marked double digits on the score board – an improvement from the earlier set.Nsengiyumva’s word at the break must have motivated the players for Rwanda registered the first game point and went on to settle for 4-8 by the first technical time-out and later on 6-10. After scoring their seventh point in this set, Bosnia scored 12 unanswered points to make it 22-7. Nothing could save the Rwandan outfit. Bosnia sealed a 25-8 third set victory.“I am happy with the way we played today because we practised everything we talked about in training but clearly you can see that our opponents had a very strong block which forced us to play aerial balls but nevertheless we have gained experience,” a seemingly contented Nsengiyumva told Times Sport after the game.

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Nsengiyumva praises team