Rwanda's women's handball team will make its international debut when it takes on Djibouti in the 2026 Women's IHF Nations Trophy, Africa Zone V, on Thursday, November 5, in Kibaha, Tanzania. Head coach Hafedz Zouabi's side will face Djibouti at 7pm at the Filbert Bayi Multi-Sports Centre before taking on hosts Tanzania on Friday, November 6, in their second Group B fixture. The competition, which runs until November 8, features six countries divided into two groups. Rwanda, Tanzania and Djibouti are drawn in Group B, while Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia make up Group A. Zouabi said his team was eager to make a positive impression in its first international outing but warned his players against underestimating their opening opponents. ALSO READ: Handball: Women’s national team faces first international test in Tanzania “We will approach this opening match with focus and determination. This is our senior women’s national team’s first international competition, and we want to make a strong start. Djibouti is a team we believe we can compete with, but we must give them our full respect,” he said. “We enter this tournament as challengers, determined to take it one match at a time and go as far as possible,” Zouabi said. Rwanda's two group-stage matches will determine their final position in Group B and their chances of reaching the semi-finals. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on Saturday, November 7, while the third-placed sides will contest the fifth-place match. The tournament will conclude on Sunday, November 8, with the third-place match scheduled for 12:30pm and the final at 3pm.
