Rwanda U20 handball head coach Hafedz Zouabi is racing in opposition to time to organize his younger squad for the 2026 African Males’s Junior Championship in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Zouabi just lately took cost of the junior workforce leaving him with lower than every week to organize the gamers for the continental event, which runs from September 5 to 12.
The restricted preparation time is a significant concern for the Tunisian coach, who admits the shortage of coaching and aggressive matches may show expensive on the championship.
Rwanda have not less than managed to play one warm-up match, narrowly beating newly shaped PEVIC HC 31-30 at Petit Stade in Kigali. The pleasant allowed the technical workers to check mixtures, assess gamers and work on their attacking and defensive methods.
“We have now a short while to work on every thing, defensive and attacking methods. The workforce is younger and has a variety of vitality, however typically they confuse pace with speeding,” Zouabi informed Occasions Sport.
“Having little time to work on these particulars can value you on the highest stage.”
Rwanda’s final full gathering was throughout the IHF Trophy Zone V, that means a number of months had handed earlier than the gamers reunited for preparations for the African championship.
Zouabi is especially involved that some gamers lack aggressive match expertise heading into the event.
“A number of gamers don’t have aggressive matches of their legs,” he mentioned.
Regardless of the challenges, the coach stays assured within the high quality and dedication of his squad.
“They’re excellent gamers. They’ve the will and so they perceive the duty they need to signify the nation effectively.”
The pleasant in opposition to PEVIC offered a worthwhile take a look at, with the hosts additionally that includes gamers from Police HC and APR HC to strengthen their squad for the event.
Rwanda initially referred to as up 23 gamers to camp earlier than lowering the group to 18. The technical workers will choose the ultimate 16-man squad forward of departure.
Rwanda assured regardless of robust group
Rwanda have been drawn alongside hosts Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Zimbabwe within the group stage.
Though the opposition will probably be sturdy, Zouabi believes Rwanda have a practical likelihood of reaching the knockout stage.
“I believe the group we’re in may be very manageable,” he mentioned. “Côte d’Ivoire might imagine they’d an excellent draw by having us of their group, however Zimbabwe and Guinea are additionally sturdy opponents.”
“We have now excellent particular person gamers, however the power of a workforce is its collective. I imagine we will get out of the group.”
Nevertheless, Zouabi is holding expectations life like and has set qualification for subsequent yr’s World Championship as the first goal.
“If I let you know we’re going to win the cup, I might be mendacity to a whole nation. Our goal is to complete among the many high 5 groups and qualify for the World Championship subsequent yr.”
Gamers constructing confidence
Goalkeeper Musa Ufitinema says the squad has responded positively to the intensive preparations, regardless of the quick time out there.
“The workforce is getting ready effectively and we’ve got confidence in ourselves. It’s nearly the identical workforce that performed in Zone V, and everyone seems to be giving their greatest. The environment is superb,” he mentioned.
The gamers have been coaching twice a day, with the teaching workers specializing in enhancing each defensive and attacking phases.
“The coach is placing good issues in place for our attacking and defensive phases, in addition to controlling the ball throughout essential moments.”
Ufitinema believes the pleasant in opposition to PEVIC was an vital take a look at and helped the gamers construct confidence earlier than travelling to Côte d’Ivoire.
Rwanda are scheduled to depart for Abidjan within the early hours of Thursday forward of their opening match on September 5.
