Rwanda’s women’s volleyball team rallied from two sets down to overcome Algeria in a five-set thriller, progressing to the semi-finals of the Women’s African Nations Championship for the first time.
August 22, in Yaoundé Multipurpose Sports Complex, Rwanda’s quarter-final match against Algeria began sloppily, ceding the first two sets (23-25, 15-25), but battled hard and won the next sets to force a tie break.
After dropping the first two sets, Benitha Mukandayisenga and her teammates showed character in the third set and fought for their country’s pride, not just to escape a three-set sweep, but to give it all and fight until the last breath.
With the help of the crowd, Rwanda took a set with a score of 25-18, which fueled them to keep the momentum going and win the fourth set with a score of 25-23, forcing the Algerians to a deciding set.
The fifth set belonged to the Rwanda who jumped out to a 12-7 lead before the Algerians closed the gap and tied the set at 14-all. But Albertine Uwiringiyimana and Valentine Munezero sealed the game with back-to-back points to make it 16-14.
The Brazilian Paulo De Tarso Milagres should be credited for this performance, besides the tournament in general, for trusting the young females ahead of the competition and dropping the experienced ones like Seraphine Mukantambara, Yvette Igihozo, Ernestine Akimana, and others.
Rwanda has made it to the semifinals for the first time in history, featuring local players from APR VC, RRA, Police, and Ruhango.
They will face Egypt in the semi-finals on Wednesday, August 23 at 5:00 p.m. at the Yaoundé Multipurpose Sports Complex.
