Rwanda Volleyball team head coach Paulo De Tarso is eager to build strong teams ready to conquer the continent ahead of the forthcoming 2023 Men and Women’s African Nations Championships.
The 21st African Senior Women's Volleyball Championship will take place in Cameroon from August 14-25 while Cairo will host the men’s tournament from August 28 to September 10.
De Tarso summoned a long list of 28 players for either group, which is dominated by young players compared to the team called up for the 2021 championship held in Kigali.
The women’s national team has already joined the camp on Sunday, July 16, where they are training at Kimisagara Gymnasium twice a day.
"We are going to assess them further in the next few days. We are preparing them so that we can choose the best ones who can make the difference during the tournament," De Tarso told Times Sport.
The Brazilian was at the helm of both men and women’s teams when Rwanda host the 2021 CAVB African Nations Championship.
While Rwanda men’s team finished in sixth place in the 2021 edition held in Kigali, behind champions Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Cameroon and Uganda, the women’s team was disqualified from the tournament over fielding ineligible players.
The scandalous situation saw the country slapped a temporary ban from all Volleyball activities as the Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) launched probe into the case.
De Tarso was, as a result, made to quit the job since the country was not allowed to participate in any international volleyball competition.
Following his return to the hot seat two years later, the tactician only takes positives from performance of Rwandan players in the past tournaments and hopes they can only get better in the coming tournaments going forward.
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"Their performance is very encouraging, but we still need to work hard. Our players need to know the system we will be playing and we will have the real picture of who will make it in the squad to use in the tournament," he said.
There are a number of new faces in the summoned squads as the coach looks to build the team around young players who can play together for many years.
De Tarso handed debut call ups for Charlotte Mushimiyimana (Police), Donatha Musabyemariya (APR), Anitha Umutoni (Ruhango), Judith Iradukunda (Police), Aliane Nirere (Police), Angelique Tuyizere, Zulfat Teta (Police), Celine Mukura Keza (APR), Josiane Umwali (Police) and Yvonne Mugwaneza (Ruhango) in his women’s national team squad.
Meanwhile, Cryspin Ntanteteri (Police), Levis Mugisha (APR), Jean Baptiste Tuyizere (REG), Bienvenue Rukundo (Police), Jean Paul Nshuti (Police), Samuel Niyonshima (Gisagara), Jean d’Amour Munyamahoro (GSSJK), Ettienne Ntirushwa (Police), Mandela Nzirimo (Gisagara) and Alain Irakoze (Police) were also summoned for the first time in the men’s senior national team.
Full squads
Women provisional squad
Setter: Yvette Cyuzuzo Igihozo, Iris Ndagijimana, Lea Uwera and Charlotte Mushimiyimana
Middle Blocker: Albertine Uwiringiyimana, Flavia Dusabe, Donatha Musabyemariya, Kellia Umutoni, Hope Musaniwabo, Anitha Umutoni and Judith Iradukunda.
Libero: Beatrice Uwamahoro, Yvonne Nygwaneza, Jacqueline Uwamariya and Fiette Uzamukunda
Receiver Attacker: Seraphine &039;Baby" Mukantambara, Valentine Munezero, Benitha Mukandayisenga, Olive Nzamukusha, Francoise Yankurije, Claire Nishimwe, Aliane Nirere, Angelique Tuyizere, Christine Uwimana and Zrufat Teta.
Opposite: Marie Divine Nyirahabimana, Celine Mukura Keza and Josiane Umwari.
Technical staff: Paulo De Tarso (head coach), Christian Hatumimana (1st assistant coach), Marine Josee Rubayiza (2nd assistant coach), Amos Matsiko (physical trainer).
Men provisional squad
Setter: Ivan Mahoro Nsabimana, Cedric Ngaboyintwari, Cryspin Ntanteteri, Levis Mugisha and Sylvestre Ndayisaba.
Middle blocker: Ronald Muvala, Prince Kanamugire, Emmy Twagirayezu, Jean Baptist Tuyizere, Frank Shyaka, Bienvenue Rukundo and Placide 'Madison' Sibomana.
Libero: Sadru Manzi, Simon Rwigema and Alain Irakoze.
Receiver Attacker: Merci Gisubizo, Eric Kwizera, Romeo Rwamuhizi Ngabo, Jean Paul Nshuti, Samuel Niyonshima, Dieu Est La Ndahayo, Gloire Niyonkuru, Fils Habanzitwari and Jean D'Amour Munyamahoro.
Opposite: Wicklif Dusenge, Venuste Gatsinzi, Étienne Ntirushwa and Mandela Nzirimo.
Technical staff: Paulo De Tarso, Lawrence Yakan Guma (1st assistant coach), Dominique Ntawangundi (2nd assistant coach), Richard Rwamuhungu (physical trainer).