Rwanda has been drawn in Group A alongside Algeria, Zambia, and Nigeria for the 2026 African Men’s Handball Championship, which will take place in Kigali from January 21 to 31, 2026.

The draw for the 16-team tournament was held on Friday, November 14, at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Sports, Rwego Ngarambe, the First Vice President of the Confederation of African Handball (CAHB), Medhat El-Beltagy, and the President of the Rwanda Handball Federation (FERWAHAND), Alfred Twahirwa, among other dignitaries.

As hosts, Rwanda headline Group A, which also features 2024 finalists Algeria, Zambia, and Nigeria.

Groups Overview

• Group A: Rwanda, Algeria, Zambia, Nigeria

• Group B: Uganda, Gabon, Angola, Egypt

• Group C: Kenya, Cameroon, Guinea, defending champions Tunisia

• Group D: Benin, Congo Brazzaville, Morocco, Cape Verde

Rwanda will feature in the opening match of the tournament, facing Zambia on January 21, 2026.

The top five teams at the championship will secure qualification to the 2027 World Handball Championship.

This will be Rwanda’s second appearance in the Men’s African Championship, following their debut in 2024 in Egypt, where the home nation claimed its ninth continental title.