Author: James Njenga

Barthes Trophy Day 1 Preview

2022 Barthes Trophy Captains

The stage is set for Africa’s premier junior tournament, the Barthes Cup. A contingent of eight teams are in Nairobi and will battle it out across three match days for the continental honors.

Only two teams, Kenya and Madagascar, return to the tournament with Senegal conspicuously missing.

An increase in the number of teams taking part this year means that hosts and defending champions, Kenya U20, have their work cut out if they wish to defend their title for the second time on home soil.

Former Champions Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tunisia, Cote d’Ivoire, Madagascar and neighbors Uganda are all confirmed participants of this year’s Barthes Trophy tournament that will take place from 9 April to 17 April at the Nyayo National Stadium.

We take a look at the four match ups that will set the pace on day one of the tournament.

Tunisia vs Zimbabwe
Both these teams make a return to Pool A of Barthes Trophy having spent their fair share of time in Pool B. Tunisia were relegated in 2019 after they lost 28-16 to Senegal in the 3rd place play-off.

One thing is for sure, both sides will be aiming for a strong start. The winner of this duel will meet the winner of quarterfinal 3.

Namibia vs Cote d’Ivoire
2019 losing finalists Namibia make a comeback to the tournament they missed last year due to the adverse effects of the novel Covid-19 in their camp. Cote d’Ivoire are making their first appearance at the tournament. Traditionally big boys in terms of physique, the West Africans will need to bring their A-Game if they are to beat Namibia in the tournament’s very first game.

Madagascar vs Zambia
Last year’s crowd favorite and surprise package Junior Makis of Madagascar will take on Zambia in the third quarter final. They missed out on the title by a whisker last time out and will be hoping to replicate their strong start when they face Zambia on Saturday morning. Zambia will be squaring it out with big boys for the first time and with their neighbors Zimbabwe potentially waiting in the semifinals, writing them off could be a huge mistake.

Kenya vs Uganda
The junior version of the Elgon Cup will be Saturday’s showstopper. Defending champions Kenya kick off their title defense against a plucky Ugandan side who have a sizeable bite in their bark. These two sides last met in the junior competition back in 2014, Kenya winning that one in front of a home crowd at the RFUEA.

A strong start against Uganda will surely be in Head Coach Curtis Olago’s pre-match notes. In July 2021, Kenya managed to hold out Madagascar 21-20 in the title decider. Olago will have the experience of returning Captain John Baraka as well as the talents of Tyson Maina, Samwel Mwaura and Anderson Oduor to count on.

Quarter-Final 1– Namibia vs Cote d’Ivoire (9 AM)

Quarter-Final 2– Tunisia vs Zimbabwe ( 11.30 AM)

Quarter-Final 3– Madagascar vs Zambia (2 PM)

Quarter-Final 4– Kenya vs Uganda (4.30 PM)

Namibia Squad: Leonardo Bayer, Bernd Beddies, Geraldo Beukes, Darren Beukes, Oela Blaauw, Conwille Draghoender, Ray-Eez Feris, Frederich Grobbelaar, Riaan Grove, Owen Hawanga, Niel Holtzhausen, Rowan Jansen, Alexander Jansen, Patrick Karsten, Quirine Majiedt, Lucky Mauha, Upahee Muhuura, Gregory Namaseb, Jan Otto, Franco Pearson, Henri Rossouw, Iyambo Tshuuya, Rashano van Rooi and Janes van Zyl.

Uganda Squad: Byaruhanga Alexander, Nkonte Joel Hosea, Louis Oboi, Emma Kiyaga,Alvin Rukundo, Sebidandi Derrick, Edward Emiemu, Champara Herbert, Tumwebaze Winston, Wandera Brian, Mwadeghu Charles Ryan, Thembo Jeremy B, Ochieng Blaise, Adebua Vani Joshua, Ampaire Kevin, Michael Kalyango, Sentongo Robert, Okello Daniel Malcolm, Kabogoza Hashim, Yasin Waswa, Ochan Emma, Steven Kalema, Edrin Lemeriga, Kansiime Joseph Mwesigwa, Opileni Hossana

Kenya successfully defend U20 Barthes Trophy in Nairobi

Kenya successfully defend U20 Barthes Trophy in Nairobi

Kenya U20 Vice-Captain Matoka Matoka put on a man-of-the-match performance as Kenya beat Madagascar 21-20 in the final match of the U20 Barthes Trophy played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Both teams went into the match buoyed by huge wins over third-placed Senegal and everyone had their work cut out if they were to be crowned champions.

Tries from Maxwell Atera, Matoka Matoka and Captain John Baraka complimented by two penalties from Matoka Matoka were enough, in the end, to cancel out Madagascar’s three tries, one conversion and one penalty.

Kenya had already qualified for the 2022 World Junior Trophy and now they will feel they are more than prepared for a tougher test.

Speaking after the game, an elated John Baraka could not hide his joy as he attributed the team’s success to teamwork. “The game was a bit tense in the first half, the scores were tight but we managed to widen the gap in the second half,” says Baraka.

“We gave in to pressure in the last minutes but in the end our teamwork and defense won it for us,” adds Baraka.

Former Kenya international scrum half Peter Mutai who is the team manager is glad they managed to win despite the late flurry by the Junior Makis. “We went off the script but we were lucky we started the game on a high, much better than our last game against Senegal. We succumbed to pressure in the final minutes, it is a final anyway but the good thing is that we went ahead early,” says Mutai.

“Congratulations to Madagascar, we respect a good challenge. Those guys play like sevens using their width so much. At the end of the day a win is a win so congratulations to the boys,” concludes Mutai.

Kenya has now successfully defended the title they last won in 2019 at the KCB Sports Club when they beat Namibia 21-18 in the final.

-James Njenga/U20 Barthes Trophy Media Team

Plenty of changes for Madagascar ahead of crucial tie against Kenya

Plenty of changes for Madagascar ahead of crucial tie against Kenya

Coach Rakotoarivelo Mboazafy Noé has made two personnel changes and four positional changes to his squad that will face hosts and defending champions Kenya in the final tie of the U20 Barthes Trophy at the Nyayo National Stadium.

From the squad that defeated Senegal 34-3 last Saturday, Rakotoniaina Flosy Tsiorinirina Marcel and Rakotoarijaona Tsiaroniaina Michel drop to the bench and their places are taken up by Rakotoniaina Johann Anael and Randriatiana Francky Kefu.

The dynamic and electric midfield duo of Razanamparany Fidisoa and Rakotomalala Salotra Lucas remains intact while there is a new half-back partnership of Randrianantenaina Erica Bruno and Ranaivoharison Naina Jean Frederic.

Salotra Lucas already has a brace to his name and is joint-second in the try-scoring list together with Kenyan duo of Tyson Maina and William Opaka.

There are also a number of positional changes as the Junior Makis aim to dethrone Kenya on home soil. Captain Rakotonirina Setra Solofoniaina moves from hooker to tighthead prop, pushing Rakotosalama Bienvenue Angelo to the base of the scrum.

Other positional changes see Randriamanantena Tojosoa Harifetra move from the eighth man slot to openside flank while Rahajanirina Lionel Hadjy moves from the right-wing to the left-wing.

Madagascar will have to win Sunday’s match to be crowned the new U20 Barthes Champions.

Madagascar’s Team vs Kenya

1.Andriamasinjanahary Lanja Fiononantsoa,  2. Rakotoniaina Johann Anael 3. Rakotonirina Setra Solofoniaina 4. Razafimahatratra Maurice 5. Rajeriarison Miaritanjona Mickael 6. Rakotovao Alain 7. Randriamanantena Tojosoa Harifetra 8. Rakotosalama Bienvenue Angelo 9. Randrianantenaina Erica Bruno 10. Ranaivoharison Naina Jean Frederic 11. Rahajanirina Lionel Hadjy 12. Razanamparany Fidisoa 13. Rakotomalala Salotra Lucas 14. Randriatiana  Francky Kefu 15. Hasina Nomenjanahary Elson Gabriel

Replacements

16. Rasoarantonirina Herve 17. Randriamasinavalona Todisoa Sabany 18. Rakotoniaina Flosy Tsiorinirina Marcel 19. Rakotonirina Harentsoa Nifaliana 20. Rakotoson Fiononana Rolland 21. Rasolofoniaina Hery Njaka 22. Rakotoarijaona Tsiaroniaina Michel

-James Njenga/U20 Barthes Trophy Media Team

Four changes for Kenya ahead of clash with Madagascar

Four changes for Kenya U20 ahead of clash with Madagascar

The Kenya U20 squad to take on Madagascar in Sunday’s U20 Barthes Trophy match at the Nyayo National Stadium has been named.

There are five changes in total to the squad that won 50-3 in the opening fixture against Senegal. One change is positional while the other four are personnel changes. Three of those changes are in the forwards while only one affects the backline.

Front row Tom Amoya, lock Edwin Nyachio and back row Tyson Maina all get starting berths while fly-half Owain Ashley comes into the squad as an injury replacement and heads straight into the starting line up.

This means that the forward trio of Mohamed Khaidar, Andrew Wangila, and Collins Indeche is joined by Arnold Onzere on the bench while Nicholas Okullo is out of the matchday squad completely.

The only positional change sees Reinhardt Mwalati move from the blind side of the scrum to the open side to accommodate flanker Tyson Maina. Owain Ashley replaces Amon Wamalwa who is out on medical grounds.

Vice-Captain Matoka Matoka leads the point-scoring charts after two matchdays with 15 points from 1 try, 2 penalties and 2 conversions. Matoka will be joined by William Opaka and Anderson Oduor in the back three.

Kenya has to beat Madagascar to defend the title they won back in 2019.

Kenya’s Squad to face Madagascar

1. Wilhite Mususi, 2. Maxwell Atera, 3. Tom Amoyah, 4. Edwin Nyachio, 5. Ibrahim Ayodi, 6.Tyson Maina, 7.Reinhardt Mwalati, 8. John Baraka (captain), 9. Cornelius Mokoro, 10.Owain Ashley, 11. Matoka Matoka, 12. Felix Chacha, 13. Richel Wangila, 14.William Opaka, 15.Anderson Oduor

REPLACEMENTS

16. Celestine Mboi, 17. Javan Olando 18. Mohamed Khaidar, 19. Laban Kipsang, 20. Collins Indeche, 21.Arnold Onzere 22. Shem Okola, 23. Roy Mulievi