Rwanda’s national U-18 men’s handball team will launch its campaign at the 22nd African U-18 Handball Championship against Morocco on Tuesday, September 15, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The Group C opener is scheduled for 7 p.m. Kigali time, with Rwanda looking to make a strong start to its campaign under coach Bagirishya Anaclet.
The team held its final training session on Monday night as preparations for the tournament got underway.
Rwanda will conclude its group-stage campaign against Libya on Wednesday, September 16, at 5 p.m. Kigali time.
The championship, which kicked off on Tuesday, will run through September 22, with 14 national teams competing for the continental title.
The teams have been drawn into four groups, with the top two sides from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.
Rwanda is in Group C alongside Morocco and Libya. Group A comprises defending champions Egypt, Congo-Brazzaville and Cameroon, while Group B features Tunisia, Nigeria, Algeria and Madagascar. Group D consists of Guinea, Zambia, hosts Côte d’Ivoire and Burundi.
Beyond the continental title, the tournament offers a major incentive, with the top five finishers earning qualification for the 2027 IHF Men’s Youth World Championship.
Egypt enter the competition as firm favourites. They have dominated the U-18 African championship in recent years, winning seven of the last eight editions, including the past three tournaments.
