Rwanda’s women’s national volleyball team has been knocked out of the African championship after Egypt sealed a 3–0 semifinal victory in Nairobi, ending Rwanda’s hopes of reaching the continental final.
Egypt dominated the opening set at Kasarani Indoor Arena on Thursday, racing to a 25–5 victory as Rwanda struggled to contain its opponents and made a series of costly errors.
Head coach Frédéric Guérin made changes to his lineup, bringing on Tuyishime Aloysie, Nyirahabimana Marie Divine, libero Uwimbabazi Lea and Ndagijimana Iris in an effort to turn the match around.
Rwanda responded in the second set, improving its service and cutting down on errors. The team, however, could not sustain the pressure needed to overcome Egypt, which won 25–17 to move one set away from the final.
The third set was a completely different contest.
Rwanda fought back strongly and pushed Egypt to the limit, with the teams exchanging points until they were tied 24–24. Rwanda had chances to take the set but failed to convert crucial points as the pressure mounted.
Egypt eventually edged Rwanda 32–30 to complete the straight-sets victory and book its place in the African championship final for the second consecutive edition.
The result also repeated Rwanda’s fate against Egypt in the 2023 African championship, when the North African side similarly won their semifinal 3–0.
Despite the defeat, Rwanda still has a chance to finish the tournament on the podium. The team will face the loser of the other semifinal between hosts Kenya and Cameroon in the bronze-medal match.
Egypt will meet the winner of Kenya and Cameroon in the final.
Rwanda’s campaign has therefore been extended by one more match, with a third-place finish now the team’s remaining target after falling short in its bid for the continental title.
