Following an explosive match day 1 action that saw four out of the eight teams advance to the semifinals of the 2022 U20 Barthes Trophy currently being held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, match day 2 promises even better encounters as the remaining quartet – Kenya, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar – battle to make it to the finale of the continental competition.
Hosts and defending champions Kenya Chipu will take on 2019 losing finalists Namibia in semifinal 1 as Zimbabwe host the Junior Makis from Madagascar in the second semifinal.
Just before those last 4 pairings, though, there will be two games pitting the losing quarterfinalists where Cote D’Ivoire will face Uganda in the first match of the day as Tunisia face Zambia in the subsequent clash.
Here is a preview of what to expect in match day 2.
Cote D’Ivoire vs Uganda
After a rude welcoming to the 2022 edition of the tournament courtesy of heavy defeats in their respective opening matches, both Ivory Coast and Uganda will be out to atone for their opening day losses when they face each other in the placement semifinal that kicks off at 0900EAT.
Both Uganda and Cote d’Ivoire met an uphill task that proved insurmountable. Cote d’Ivoire lost by 62-00 to former champions Namibia in the first match of the tournament as Uganda came crumbling against rivals Kenya Chipu who beat them 54-20 in the junior edition of the Elgon Cup.
“We have done our SWOT analysis of what to expect against Cote D’Ivoire and we have tried to address the challenges we had against Kenya. Therefore, we believe we will come out strong,” Uganda assistant coach Martial Tchumkam told Barthes media.
Tunisia vs Zambia
Tunisia will be seeking redemption when they take on Zambia in the second placement final at the Nyayo National Stadium.
In their quarter final clash against Zimbabwe, the North Africans were heartbroken at the death as Zimbabwe scored a last minute try to steal a 19-18 victory that knocked out the Tunisians who had looked on course for the semis.
Zambia on the other hand will be looking to stay alert throughout the whole course of the game as they caved in the second half against Madagascar who turned around the score from 13-14 at halftime to a 26-14 full time score.
Kenya Chipu vs Namibia
Billed as the final before the final, fireworks are expected at Nyayo Stadium when hosts and defending champions Chipu take on Namibia in the first semifinal in a repeat of the 2019 Barthes Trophy finale that saw Kenya lift the title after a very hard fought 21-18 victory.
Coming into the tournament as the favourites, both teams will be out to live up to the billing when they look to book a ticket in the final.
Curtis Olago’s Chipu will be out to exert their dominance as the hosts and back to back defending champions as they chase a treble while Namibia will be out in search of revenge. Any way you look at it, this match promises to be a treat!
Zimbabwe vs Madagascar
Matchday 2 action will come to a close when these two sides fight for the remaining ticket to the final.
Madagascar, who made it to the 2021 final but narrowly lost to Kenya (21-20) , will be relying on that past experience when they face Zimbabwe who will be out to create a story of their own having already shown incredible character in getting to the semifinals.
Placement Semifinal Fixtures:
SF 1 (9 a.m. EAT): Cote d’Ivoire vs Uganda
SF 2 (11.30 a.m. EAT): Tunisia vs Zambia
Main Cup Semifinal Fixtures:
SF 1 (2 p.m.): Namibia vs Kenya
SF 2 (4.30 p.m.): Zimbabwe vs Madagascar