Rwanda U-18 men’s national handball team finished seventh out of the eight countries that participated in the 18th edition of the Men’s Junior African Nations Championship that ended on Friday in Bamako, Mali.

The team managed to win only one game (the seventh place playoff) against hosts Mali 30-29 during the eight-day biennial continental tournament.

Making their debut appearance, Rwanda lost all their group B games—going down 45-15 against DR Congo, lost to Egypt by 56-12 before Tunisia added the insult to injury with a 40-7 win.

In the playoffs, Rwanda lost to Algeria 45-10 and Morocco 29-21 before beating Mali 30-29 to settle for 7th place.

Tunisia defeated defending champions and 16-time record winners Egypt 26-25 to lift their record-equaling 16th title. Algeria finished third, DR Congo (4), Morocco (5) and Guinea (6) while Mali finished last. 

Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria qualified for next year’s World Junior Championship that will be held in Georgia. Rwanda team is expected to return home on Sunday

editorial@newtimes.co.rw