The national Cross Country team that will be taking part in the 2nd edition of the African Cross Country Championships tomorrow, touched based in Cape Town, South Africa yesterday.Rwanda’s team will be out to face the best on the continent, particularly Kenya and Ethiopian runners, who are considered favourites.Uganda, Morocco and South Africa are the other contenders. In 2011, Kenyans swept the competition, winning twelve medals in the four different categories. In the absence of the world championships this year, observers hope to see some aggressiveness and competitiveness in the tournament. The competition’s future is on the balance. Coach Innocent Rwabuhihi is seeing potential in the team he led to South Africa. Prior to departure, Rwabuhihi said, “The athletes have had sufficient time to train and we will try to go for the top slots.”“We know the challenge is touch considering the presence of continental superpowers Ethiopia and Kenya but our athletes are ready to races against the best,” added Rwabuhihi.With continued dominance from Kenyans and Ethiopians over the past years, the new generation of Ugandans athletes are rated to pose stiff competition.For all these ambitious teams, the Cape Town rendez-vous is a big chance for Rwandan athletes to better prepare the 2013 World Championships. Countries expected to take part in the competition include; South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Congo, Eritrea, Morocco, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Egypt, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sudan, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Zambia The team is expected back in the country on Tuesday after the conclusion of the one day championship on Sunday.Senior MenRobert Kajuga, Evariste Nzabonimpa, Alexis Nizeyimana, Eric Sebahire, Jean MArie Vianney Uwajeneza and Godfrey Rutayisire.
