By Oscar Pilipili in Kigali, Rwanda

All roads lead to Amahoro Sports Complex as Rwanda host Kenya in a key match of the men’s All Africa Games Qualifiers today starting at 5pm.

The match has attracted attention for two main reasons: First it is being touted as the one to determine the team that qualifies for the All Africa Games. Two, because the squads are led by Kenyan coaches Paul Bitok for Rwanda and Sammy Kirongo of Kenya.

Although the impending encounter is the talk of town, Bitok and Kirongo have reserved their comments, playing their cards under the table.

The match is a major meeting for the two countries in the men, category since Bitok joined Rwanda volleyball ranks a few years ago.

Technical meeting

Rwanda was drawn to host Kenya on the second day of the competition following a technical meeting at Sports View Hotel in Kigali on Wednesday night.

Being the host Bitok was given the rights to choose which team to start with and he decided to go for underdogs Burundi.

The competition has attracted four teams in Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi and Uganda.

Federation of Rwanda Volleyball President said Ethiopia opted out of the competition due to monetary reasons.

"Ethiopia excused themselves from not sending a team because they had just hosted women’s qualifiers and so they don’t have more money to come here," he said.

The President expressed disappointment over the absence of representatives of Zone Five at the meeting and called for changes within the administration’s hierarchy.

"We have not see a representative of our zone and this is not the way to go if we want to develop volleyball," he told delegates at the technical meeting.

Meanwhile, Kenyan captain Sila Makiso said they are ready to run over oppositions and qualify for All Africa Games.

He said: "As Kenyans we came here to claim the ticket to Maputo and no none is stopping us;. All players are in top form and raring to go," he added after morning training ahead of their opening match against Uganda on Thursday.

In Nairobi, Kenya Pipeline, Kenya Commercial Bank and Kenya Prisons have intensified training ahead of African Clubs Championships scheduled to take place in Nairobi from March30 to April 10.

FIXTURES

Thursday March 25: Kenya v Uganda 4pm, Rwanda v Burundi 6pm

Friday March 26: Uganda v Burundi 4pm, Rwanda v Kenya 6pm

Saturday March 27: Kenya v Burundi 4pm, Rwanda v Uganda 6pm