Kenya wary of Rwanda ahead of Africa Zone V Qualifiers

The Kenya men’s volleyball team head coach, Gideon Chenje has pointed out Rwanda among their major threats in the upcoming Africa Zone Five World Championship qualifiers set to be held in Kigali from November 25. Kenya will play Egypt, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi in the next leg where the first finishers will automatically book a ticket to the final round to be played next year. Speaking to Kenyan media recently, Chenje, said that he is very much aware of the challenge posed by the Africa champions Egypt but the Kenya Prisons’ coach has urged his players not to underrate hosts Rwanda. “There is a lot of work to be done (In Rwanda),” said Chenje. “Egypt is the current continental champions but Rwanda too is coming up and I think they will pose great challenge. We’ll not underrate them,” added Chenje who has been guiding the national team through drills last week. Meanwhile, Rwanda team is in residential training under the tutelage of Kenyan-born coach Paul Bitok, who summoned 20 players to prepare for the tournament last week. Rwanda and Egypt qualified for this round after Ethiopia and Sudan pulled out of the first sub-zonal tournament that was hosted in Kigali three months ago. The last time Rwanda hosted a regional tournament of this calibre in 2011, the hosts emerged winners after thrashing Burundi 3-0, Kenya 3-0 and neighbours Uganda 3-1. The runner-up of this competition will join Egypt, Botswana, Cape Verde and Zambia in Pool A as the other Pools will have five teams each fighting for only three spots available for the African continent. Rwanda Provisional squad: Bosco Mutabazi, Aimable Mutuyimana, Adolphe Mutoni, Elie Mutabazi, Fred Musoni and Theodore Hyango (APR), Olivier Ntagengwa, Tuyishime, Eric Nsabimana, Emile Dada Karera (NUR), Flavien Ndamukunda, Kwizera Marchal, Herve Kagimbura and William Mudahemuka Songo (INATEK), Thierry Mugabo (Lycee de Nyanza) and Nelson Murangwa (GSOB), Vincent Dusabimana (Rayon Sports VC) Algeria-based; pair Yakan Lawrence Guma (Etoile Sportive de Setif) and Christopher Mukunzi (El Fanar).