Beach V-ball: Rwanda qualify for African Cup of Nations

Rwanda beach volleyball teams (men and women) have qualified for the African Cup of Nations which will be held on May 10-16 in Maputo, Mozambique—the competition will also doubles as qualifiers for the 2017 World Championship. Both teams booked their tickets at the just concluded Zone V Championships held in Kampala, Uganda on Friday where participating teams played against each on a round robin basis. In men’s category, brothers Flavien Ndamukunda and Patrick Kavalo beat Ugandan opponents 2-0 (21 – 16 and 21 – 11) and Sudan 2-0 (21 – 14 and 21 – 12) but lost to Kenya 2-0 hence finished on second place. Kenya also beat Uganda and Sudan 2-0 respectively to win the gold medal. In women category, the pair of Charlotte Nzayisenga and Denyse Mutatsimpundu beat Sudan 2 - 0 (21 – 8 and 21 – 7), hosts Uganda 2-0 (21 – 16 and 21 – 11) and Kenya 2-0 (21 – 11 and 21 – 14), to bring the home the gold medal. Uganda beat Kenya and Sudan 2-0 respectively to finish second. Rwanda, Uganda Kenya will represent Zone V at the continental event. Other regional countries; Burundi and Tanzania did not take apart in the tournament. Meanwhile, in related news, APR beat Uganda’s Ndejje University 3-1 (25-21, 15-25, 25-21 and 25-19) at the ongoing African Women Club Championship in Monastir, Tunisia on Friday. Earlier on Thursday, Rwanda’s representative beat Algerian side Bejaia 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, and 25-16). By press time, APR were due to play their final classification match against Marsa of Tunisia on Saturday, for 9th position. Organizers Carthage and Shams will meet in the gold medal match on Sunday after both sides claimed the victory over 5-time champions Kenya Prisons and record 7-time winners Ahly of Egypt respectively in the semi-finals. Ahly will face Prisons for the bronze medal. Shams beat Ahly 3-2 (25-19, 15-25, 18-25, 25-17 and 15-8) while Carthage upset Prisons 3-1 (25-21, 25-13, 24-26 and 25-14). Six-time champions Kenya Pipeline beat Sfaxien (TUN) 3-0 (25-11, 25-21, and 25-21) in the playoff for 5 to 8 positions. GSP of Algeria overcame Injis (CMR) 3-1 (17-25, 25-22, 25-21, and 25-23). editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Beach V-ball: Rwanda qualify for African Cup of Nations