Bitok wary of Algeria, Cameroon at All Africa Games

With less than two weeks before the start of the 2015 All Africa Games, Rwanda national volleyball team head coach Paul Bitok has admitted that his team faces an uphill task in their aspiration to reach at least the semi-final stage. The volleyball team departs today for Brazzaville at midday aboard RwandAir for the 11th edition of the quadrennial continental event is scheduled for September 4-19 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. Rwanda have been drawn in Pool B alongside Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ghana and Seychelles yet only two teams from the group will qualify for semi-finals of the 12-team volleyball competition. “Our group is probably the Group of Death, we have Algeria and Cameroon, two very strong teams, and overcoming them is surely going to be a very tough task but my players are highly committed and determined to achieve our targets,” Kenyan trainer Bitok told this paper yesterday. The national team is currently in residential camp at Hotel La Palisse, Nyandungu and are training twice a day at Amahoro indoor stadium. However, Bitok, a former Kenyan international, expressed disappointment that he will be without two key players – right-attackers Olivier Ntagengwa and Flavien Ndamukunda – who will be competing in the beach volleyball category. Hosts Congo-Brazzaville have been pitted in Pool A alongside Botswana, Gambia, Nigeria, Mozambique and reigning African champions Egypt. This year’s event will also mark the 50th anniversary of the All Africa Games as they return to Brazzaville, a city which hosted the inaugural edition in 1965. Departing squad: Jean Bosco Mutabazi (APR), Bonny Mutabazi (APR), Patrick Kavalo Akumuntu (INATEK), Yves Mutabazi (APR), Pierre Marshal Kwizera (Rayon Sports), Dada Emile Karera (Rayon Sports), Vincent Dusabimana of INATEK Others are Ivan Mahoro Nsabimana (Russia), Lawrence Yakan Guma (APR), skipper Christophe Mukunzi (Payas Belediyesport, Turkey), Fred Musoni (Rayon Sports) and left-attacker Nelson Murangwa also from Rayon Sports’ editorial@newtimes.co.rw