Volley-ball team depart for World Cup qualifiers

RWANDA VOLLEYBALL national team players are upbeat as they go into the 2014 FIVB World Cup qualifiers slated for February 12 to 18 in Cameroon. The team was scheduled to leave the country by today morning. The 2014 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships will be staged in Poland from August 30 through September 21. Rwanda are in Group One alongside Algeria, Nigeria, Gabon and hosts Cameroon. They will start their campaign against Algeria on Thursday, followed with Cameroon the next day before ending with match-ups against Gabon and Nigeria on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Right attacker Olivier Ntagengwa, who was named the national league Most Valuable player for last season, was the first to echo the sentiments of his head coach Paul Bitok, saying that they have a good chance to defy odds against some of the top teams on the continent. “We need to prove that we didn’t reach this stage by chance but rather through hard work, determination and belief. I think we deserve to be where we are and if we deserve it, then it means have the potential to even do better,” Ntagengwa said on Saturday. “We are there because we have what it takes to be there, we have good players, and we have everything we need to challenge on a high level, who knows we may even qualify for the World Championships,” added the National University of Rwanda player. Two other most senior players on the team including right attacker, Flavien Ndamukunda and centre Pierre Kwizera Marshal, also echoed the same message. Final team: Nelson Murangwa, Yakan Guma Lawrence, Flavien Ndamukunda , Theogene Tuyishime, Fred Musoni, Pierre Kwizera Marchal, Bosco Mutabazi, Hervé Kagimbura, Theodore Muyango Hyango, Olivier Ntagengwa, Christophe Mukunzi, Amiable Mutuyimana. Officials: Paul Bitok, (head coach), Jean-Marie Nsengiyumva, (assistant coach), Julius Kagarama (head of delegation), Charles Munyambora (team doctor) and Christian Hatumamina (team manager).

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Volley-ball team depart for World Cup qualifiers