With fewer than 50 days remaining before the 27th Men’s Senior Handball Africa Cup of Nations tips off in Kigali, the Rwanda men’s national handball team has intensified its preparations through a second residential training camp led by head coach Hafedh Zouabi.
The camp, currently taking place in Kigali, brings together local-based players as the technical team works to finalize the squad that will represent the nation on home soil. Rwanda will be making yet another important appearance on the continental stage, in a tournament that also serves as a qualifier for the IHF World Men’s Handball Championship.
According to Coach Zouabi, the focus of the second phase of preparations is on tactical discipline, defensive organization, transition speed, and finishing efficiency.
“In this camp, we are working more on game situations. The physical base was laid in the first phase. Now, we are fine-tuning our systems, our communication, and the mental readiness of the players as we approach the competition,” said Zouabi.
The intensifying sessions have included double training sessions per day, combining physical conditioning in the mornings with tactical and technical drills in the evenings. The team has also started to play internal matches and scheduled friendly games to test combinations and individual performance under pressure.
The 27th Men’s Senior Handball Africa Cup of Nations is expected to attract the best teams from across the continent, including traditional powerhouses such as Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia. Hosting the event places Rwanda in the continental spotlight and reflects the country’s growing reputation as a destination for major international sporting events.
The Rwanda Handball Federation, in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and other stakeholders, continues to oversee all technical and logistical preparations to ensure that Rwanda delivers a successful and memorable tournament.
In the coming weeks, the team will proceed to the final phase of preparation, which will include additional friendly matches and focused recovery sessions ahead of the official competition period.
As the countdown continues, all eyes will be on the Rwanda national team as they prepare to carry the nation’s hopes and pride into Africa’s biggest handball stage.
