We will stage a good show against Algeria – Mukunzi

THE NATIONAL team skipper Christophe Mukunzi ‘Giba’ is confident Rwanda will stage a good performance against Algeria in the opening match of the 2014 FIVB World Cup qualifiers which kicks off today in Cameroon. Rwanda is placed in Pool T alongside Algeria, Nigeria, Gabon and hosts Cameroon. Their campaign starts against Algeria on Thursday, followed with Cameroon the next day before ending with matches against Gabon and Nigeria on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Rwanda will have to win all their matches to be assured of World Cup Championship qualification. Speaking to Times Sport before departure on Tuesday, Mukunzi said, “I am sure we will win our opening match against Algeria. We expect a tough challenge against the North Africans,” “We want to prove that we are a strong team and never to be underestimated. We believe we are going to Cameroon as underdogs but I am confident Rwanda will perform to everyone’s satisfaction,” added Mukunzi. The other Algeria-based Lawrence Yakan Guma Yakan said that they are going to meet tough sides but are ready for any kind of challenge. “We have good players, everyone in our team wants to win and we have excellent preparations. We will fight tooth and nail to ensure that Rwanda qualifies to the World championship,” added Guma. Egypt qualify for 2014 World Championship Egypt Men’s volleyball team claimed one of the three tickets reserved for Africa in the 2014 FIVB World Championships to be held in Poland from August 30 to September 21. The African champions defeated Cape Verde 3-0 ( 25-14, 25-14, 25-16) to complete the qualification Pool U tournament played at Safaricom Indoor Arena in Nairobi on clean sheet with four victories. Egypt achieved their first victory of the tournament after beating Kenya 3-1 (25-21, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20) and went on to beat Zambia 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-15) before recording their third win of the tournament with 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-9) victory against Botswana. The remaining two slots would be filled after other two qualification tournaments to be held in Cameroon and Tunisia. Tunisia will host the Pool V in which they will battle it out against Seychelles, Congo Brazzaville, Senegal and Niger. The women’s contest for Italy’s 2014 World Championships start in Kenya as Nairobi welcomes Seychelles, Uganda, Tunisia, Senegal, Mozambique and Cape Verde in Pool “U” from February 16 to 23. The conclusion of Kenya’s tournament would pave way for the next qualification round that would see Algeria host Botswana, Ghana, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Egypt in Pool “T” from February 23 to March 2. Africa will be represented by two women’s teams in the World Championships to be held in Italy later this year.

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We will stage a good show against Algeria – Mukunzi