Men’s category Group AEsperance Sportive (Tunisia), Al Ahly (Egypt), Minuh (Cameroon), Calman (Congo) and Police (Rwanda) Group BZamalek (Egypt), Widad Smara (Morocco), FAP (Cameroon), JSK (DR Congo) and AS Douane (Burkina Faso) Police handball club have arrived in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso ahead of the African Handball Champions League that is slated for October 21-30. The team, comprised of 14 players and three officials, left the country on Tuesday late evening aboard an Ethiopian Airways flight. They are among 10 clubs that will grace the 38th edition, with others coming from Egypt, Tunisia, Cameroon, DR Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Morocco and hosts Burkina Faso. The Rwandan and Eastern and Central African reigning champions will be aiming to put up a good showing and finish in better positions after registering poor displays in their previous two outings – in 2011 and 2015 – when they bowed out of the annual continental event without any win. “This is the third time we we’ll be participating in the competition and we are determined to put an end to a dismal run, we had a very successful season at home and we want to carry on this good form into the continental stage,” head Coach Alphonse Udahemuka said. However, Police will face a daunting test after being drawn in Group A, alongside four-time winners Al Ahly of Egypt and five-time finalists Esperance Sportive (Tunisia), who have won the competition once. Other teams in the group are Minuh from Cameroon and Congo-Brazzaville’s Calman. Defending champions Zamalek of Egypt are in Group B along with Widad Smara, (Morocco), FAP Yaoundé of Cameroon, JSK (DR Congo), and Burkina Faso’s AS Douane. Police team: Samuel Bananimana, Raymond Nsanzimfura, Gilbert Mutuyimana, Jean Baptiste Habimana, Norbert Duteteriwacu, Theophile Niyigaba, Tuyishime Zacharie, Gilbert Nzibonera, Haruna Bizimana, Jean Paul Muhawenayo, Gilbert Camarade Mbonyinshuti, Fidele Hagenimana, Jean Nepomuscene Niyishaka and Jean Louis Munezero Coaching staff: Head coach Alphonse Udahameuka, Assistant coach Norbert Tuyisenge and Team doctor Philip Mugwiza. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
