Kigali, Rwanda hosted the Pool E (Zone 5) of First Round African Qualification for the 2018 FIVB Men’s World Championship. The Pool included hosts Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan, who were playing in their first FIVB sanctioned event. Play for the Pool started on July 22nd and finished on the 24th. The top two teams in the pool would advance to the Second Round.
On the first day of play, Uganda surprised Kenya 3-2 (26-24, 25-21, 17-25, 24-26, 15-12). Kenya was expected to be one of the two team to advance, so they were already on the brink of elimination. Rwanda swept South Sudan 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-16) in the other match.
On Sunday the 23rd, Kenya bounced back to sweep South Sudan 3-0 (25-17, 25-10, 25-18). Kenya got some help from Rwanda who defeated Uganda 3-1 (25-23, 25-17, 19-25, 25-21). With the win, Rwanda had 2 wins and 6 points, and clinched their ticket to the Second Round. Kenya had leapt in front of Uganda with 1 win and 3 points, Uganda 1 win and 2 points. South Sudan had 0 wins and 0 points.
On the 24th, Uganda started with a sweep of South Sudan 3-0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-20) to go back in front of Kenya with 2 wins and 5 points. Kenya would have to beat Rwanda to advance. Kenya came out and won the first two sets 25-23 and 25-22. Rwanda responded in the third set to take it 25-23. However, the Kenyans won the fourth set 25-21 to win the match 3-1 and the clinch their berth into the Second Round of African Qualifying.
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