AS PART of the preparations ahead of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Rwanda’s senior men’s volleyball team will play warm-up matches against Senegal and Botswana next month in Kigali. In the newt qualifying round, Rwanda will battle hosts Cameroon, Algeria and Niger for a place in the World Championships, which will be held in Poland later this year. According to officials of the local volleyball governing body, both Botswana and Senegal national teams will be in the country from January 31 to February 4. After the two international friendlies, Paul Bitok’s team will travel to Nairobi for more the build-up matches against Kenyan league sides; GSU, Ulinzi and Prisons. According to the Rwanda volleyball federation chairman, Gustave Nkurunziza the aim is to raise the level of players ahead of the world cup qualifiers championship, which will be held in Cameroon next month. The final round, which will be played in February, 12-18, will decide the top three teams that will represent Africa at the 2014 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships. Rwanda qualified after winning silver in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Zone five group Q qualifiers, Rwanda was drawn against hosts Cameroon, Algeria, Nigeria and Gabon. While Kenya is in the same group with the reigning African champion and hosts Egypt, Botswana, Zambia and Cape Verde. Meanwhile, Rayon Sports youngster Ivan Mahoro Nsabimana has been added to senior national team squad. The 19-year old joined the camp on Saturday after the warm-up match against Rayon Sports on Friday at Amahoro indoor stadium, which ended 3-2 in favor of the national team. Rayon won the first two sets 25-23, 25-23 before Bitok’s recovered to take the next two and the decisive set 25-16, 25-20 and 15-12 respectively.
