Author: Michael Kwambo

Director of Communications U20 Barthés Trophy Nairobi

It’s a Namibia – Zimbabwe final

Namibia ended Kenya’s reign as defending champions with a 16-5 victory in the Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy tournament at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday 13 April 2022.

The Namibians took a 6-0 lead into the interval courtesy of two penalties from skipper Oela Blaauw in a half that saw Chipu waste several opportunities to get points on the board, Tonny Oketch missing three kickable penalties. The Kenyan forwards, despite their dominance, were also not efficient in the final third, twice fumbling on the Namibian try line, a script that would be followed throughout the game.

Blaauw then converted Niel Holtzhausen’s try to put Namibia 16-0 up after the break.

Kenya’s incessant pressure failed to bear fruit, this despite having Namibia on the back foot for the better part of the second half, spurred on by the inclusion of second half replacements George Otieno, Anderson Oduor, John Aswani and Joseph Ayiro.

Ayiro would score a late try, played in by David Mwangi but his efforts proved to be too little, too late as their reign as champions came to an end.

Namibia will face Zimbabwe in Sunday’s final. Zimbabwe made it to the final with a 32-3 victory over Madagascar.

Elson Gabriel put the Malagasy ahead with an early penalty before Zimbabwe responded with Brendan Marume’s 12 point haul coming off 4 penalties, Tanaka Gondomukandapi’s brace of tries complimented by tries from captain Takudzwa Musingwini and Tamuka Kambani.

Declared Squads for Match Day 2

Squads have been declared for match day 2 action at the Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy on Wednesday 13 April 2022 at the Nyayo National Stadium.

The action kicks off at 9.00am EAT with Cote d’Ivoire and Uganda meeting in the 5th place semifinal, paving way for the second 5th place semifinal between Tunisia and Zambia.

Hosts and defending champions Kenya will then take on Namibia in the first semifinal at 2.00pm before last year’s runners up, Madagascar take on Zimbabwe in the second semifinal at 4.30pm.

Cote d’ Ivoire v Uganda | 9.00am | 5th place semifinal

COTE D’IVOIRE UGANDA
Koutoun Ange Boyo1Alexander Byaruhanga
Wally Toungara2Herbert Champara
Brouhana Dianda3Alvin Rukundo
Ibrahim Traore4Brian Wandera
Jonathan Dongo5Joshua Adebua
Mamadou Konate6Charles Mwadeghu
Issoufou Diallo7Kevin Ampaire
Coulibally Agnib8Jeremy Biyinzika
Abdoulaziz Ouatarra9Alvin Mwebaze
Abdoul Karembiri10Daniel Okello ( C)
Oumarou Sigue11Joseph Mwesigwa
Liuson Valentin N’zoko ( c )12Yasin Waswa
Oumar Kante13Emma Ochan
Marcel Dadi Odre14Steven Kalema
Ismael Nacanado15Michael Kalyango
  
Yao Mammadou Ouatarra16Edward Emiemu
Madany Traore17Joel Nkonte
Moussa Traore18Emmanuel Kiyaga
Bilaly Samake19David Bajjanaseko
Ilyass Konate20Blaise Ochieng
Kouadio Koucaou21Hashim Kabogoza
Alpha Soumahoro22Hossana Opileni
Ahmed Gramoute23Edrine Lemeriga

Tunisia v Zambia | 11.30am | 5th place semifinal

TUNISIA ZAMBIA
Hossem Ktata1Sekou Ibrahim
Mohammed Azozi2Lukundo Silwamba
Amine Baya3Dimus Kabengele
Oussama Baya4Daniel Habasimbi
Mohammed Khardani5Charles Mwemba
Mohammed Bel Hadj Youssef6Cassidy Chate
Mohamed Salah Ben Rjeb7Fredrick Musonda
Bahaeddine Abid8Miracle Simpasa
Mohammed Ali Jlassi9Kelvin Sichula
Mohammed Riahi10Mwila Mulenga
Aymen Hamdaoui11Fred Mtonga
Malek el Mahdi ( c )12Chileshe Mulenga ( c )
Adel Bahri13Swaba Chalelwa
Ilyes Ayari14Paul Zulu
Adem Grami15Redson Lukwesa
  
Bayrem Ben Ticha16Richard Kabengele
Mohaimen Rouached17Hanshel Chibale
Mohamed Znati18Nkhuka Mpande
Houssem Ben Yahya19Peter Mwansa
Nouredinne Dahmoul20Evans Fumbelo
Ahmed Salmi21Mwale Mulenga
Ahmed Mrabti22Shibunga Chatioka
Ahmed Houssem23Riaan Nsokoshi

Kenya v Namibia | 2.00pm | Semifinal

KENYA NAMIBIA
Nicholas Okullo1Jano Otto
Idd Ganguma2Friedrich Grobbelaar
Whilhite Musisi3Filippus Tshuuya
Elvis Persian4Conhill Dragohoendler
Stanslaus Shikoli5Gregory Namaseb
Gabriel Ayimba6Ray Feris
Tyson Maina7Alexander Jansen
John Baraka ( c)8Riaan Grove
Emmanuel Opondo9Oela Blaauw
Samuel Mwaura10Raschano Van Rooi
Roy Mulievi11Owen Hawanga
Felix Chacha12Patrick Karsten
Mathias Osimbo13Niel Holtzhausen
David Mwangi14Jonathan Hanekom
Tonny Oketch15Geraldo Beukes
  
George Otieno16Franko Pearson
Randy Wamah17Bernd Beddies
Brian Makaya18Feliciano Lauha
John Aswani19Henri Rossouw
Laban Kipsang20Darren Beukes
Winston Macharia21Brian Bayer
Anderson Oduor22Adriaan Steenkamp
Joseph Ayiro23Quirione Majiedt

Madagascar v Zimbabwe | 4.30pm | Semifinal

MADAGASCAR ZIMBABWE
Tahiana  Raharisamimanana1Veshal Jasi
Bienevue Rakotosalama2Marlon Guwuriro
Joeli Rakotoniaina3Tomuvoga Msasanure
Gervais Rakotonirina4Tamuka Kambani
Fano Rakotonandrasana5Simbarashe Siraha
Alain Rakotovao6Tanaka Ndoro
Fosy Rakotoniaina7Denzel Maramba
Rojosoa Randriamanantena ( c )8Tanaka Gondomukandapi
Fiononana Rolland Rakotoson9Shadrick Mandaza
Hery Njaka Rasolofoniaina10Bredan Marume
Tsiaroniaina Michel Rakotoarijaona11Tanaka Ndabambi
Rojonirina Rakotondrazaza12Alex Nyamunda
Fidisoa Razanaparany13Tawanda Matipano
Flosi Rakotoniaina14Josiah Borerwe
Elson Gabriel15Simbarashe Kanyangara
  
Laja Andriamasinjanahary16Brian Chiang
Herve Rasoarantonirina17Tadiwa Chinwada
Tongasoa Razafindrahaja18Farai Madzima
Todisoa Randriamasinavalona19Muzuma Gutu
Safidi Anjarasoa Andriamihaja20Tavonga Ablant
Philibert Sederick Romaroson21Dion Khumalo
Guy Ernest Henry Randranaivo22Takudzwa Musingwini ( C )
Zacharie Alain Jose Tojoniaina23Tendai Chimyama

Venue: Nyayo National Stadium

Tickets: Ksh 300 (regular), Ksh 1000 (VIP) – available on mtickets.com

How to watch: K24plus and Rugby Africa Facebook page

Semifinal pairings confirmed

The semifinal pairings for the Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy are now known following completion of the quarterfinals on Saturday 9 April 2022.

Hosts and defending champions Kenya will take on former champions Namibia in the first semifinal, paving way for the second clash between Madagascar and Zimbabwe.

Action between Kenya and Uganda

These matches will be preceded by classification matches pitting Ivory Coast against Tunisia and Zambia against Uganda.

Match Day 1 Results, Saturday 9 April 2022

Namibia 62 Ivory Coast 0

Tunisia 18 Zimbabwe 19

Madagascar 26 Zambia 14

Kenya 54 Uganda 20

Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy Match Day 2, Wednesday 13 April 2022

9.00am Classification Match: Ivory Coast v Uganda

11.30am Classification Match: Zambia v Tunisia

2.00pm Semifinal: Kenya v Namibia

4.30pm Semifinal: Madagascar v Zimbabwe

Venue: Nyayo National Stadium

Tickets: Ksh 300 (regular), Ksh 1000 (VIP) – available on mtickets.com

How to watch: K24plus and Rugby Africa Facebook page

Namibia targeting glory in Nairobi

NAMIBIA are targeting honours when they compete at the upcoming 2022 Rugby Africa Barthés U20 Trophy in Nairobi, Kenya.

Head coach Chrysander Botha named his travelling team yesterday.

The tournament is a welcome distraction for the youngsters who missed out on the action altogether last year after several members of the team tested positive for Covid-19. The year before that Namibia fell 21-18 to Kenya in the final.

They will be looking to reclaim the title and underline their pedigree on the continent between 9 and 17 April.

“We’re going to Kenya to play our hearts out. The past few weeks were a bit difficult for us to get each other and bond as a team to prepare for the tour. But I believe we will do well,” captain Rowan Jansen said.

Only three teams participated last year due to Covid-19 interruptions, with Kenya edging Madagascar 21-20 to retain the trophy.

This year, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Senegal, Tunisia, Zambia and Zimbabwe have all confirmed they will be vying for the title.

“This is a platform for our boys to go out there and just do well. I don’t think any team prepares just to go and participate; we’re going over there to win this tournament,” Botha said.

“Yes, we did lose in the previous tournament, but that just goes to show that development of rugby in Africa is happening at the moment,” he said of their rivals rapid improvement.

“We need to strategically plan how we’re going to move forward because the rest of Africa is catching up to us, especially the likes of Kenya and Zimbabwe.

“We need to invest all our time and energy in the development of our players. Not just u20, but at the grassroots level as well.”

Namibia face the fast-improving Ivory Coast on 9 April in their first match. Their next opponent will be confirmed after the opening day’s results.

That fixture will be played on 13 April after which the final will be contested on 17 April when the ranking for u20 will be determined.

“It’s a difficult route as we face Ivory Coast, then possibly Kenya and then Zimbabwe in the final. But, if you want to be the best then you have to beat the best, as they say. We’re planning on going all out and we’re going there to represent Namibia and do everyone proud,” Botha said.

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.

Technical team: Chrysander Botha (coach), Jacobus Husselmann (team manager), Wilfred Nico Bezuidehoudt (team doctor).

-The Namibian

U20 Barthes Trophy ticket sales commence

Ticket sales for the Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy are now open.

The tournament takes place from 9th to 17th April 2022 at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya.

Regular tickets will cost Ksh 300 with VIP tickets retailing at Ksh 1000 per match day.

Tickets are available on https://mtickets.com/buy/barthes-trophy/1568 

Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy Fixtures

MATCH DAY 1, Saturday 9 April 2022

QF1 9.00am Namibia v Cote d’Ivoire

QF2 11.30am Tunisia v Zimbabwe

QF3 2.00pm Madagascar v Zambia

QF4 4.30pm Kenya v Uganda

MATCH DAY 2, Wednesday 13 April 2022

CM1 9.00am Loser QF1 v Loser QF2

CM2 11.30am Loser QF3 v Loser QF4

SF1 2.00pm Winner QF1 v Winner QF4

SF2 4.30pm Winner QF2 v Winner QF3

MATCH DAY 3, Sunday 17 April 2022

PO1 9.00am Loser CM1 v Loser CM2

PO2 11.30am Winner CM1 v Winner CM2

Bronze Medal Match: 2.00pm Loser SF1 v Loser SF2

Final: 4.30pm Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

Uganda declare their squad to Nairobi

Uganda have named a 32 man travelling squad for the Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy taking place in Nairobi from 9th to 17th April at the Nyayo National Stadium. The squad, which features 25 players and 7 officials is expected in Nairobi on Thursday morning.

Props: Byaruhanga Alexander, Nkonte Joel Hosea, Louis Oboi, Emma Kiyaga,Alvin Rukundo

Hookers: Sebidandi Derrick, Edward Emiemu, Champara Herbert

Locks: Tumwebaze Winston, Wandera Brian, Mwadeghu Charles Ryan

Flankers: Thembo Jeremy B, Ochieng Blaise, Adebua Vani Joshua, Ampaire Kevin

Half Backs: Michael Kalyango, Sentongo Robert, Okello Daniel Malcolm

Centers: Kabogoza Hashim, Yasin Waswa, Ochan Emma

Back Three: Steven Kalema, Edrin Lemeriga, Kansiime Joseph Mwesigwa, Opileni Hossana

Management: Lumu Richard (Head Coach),Martial Tchumkam (Assistant Coach), Etuket Dennis (Team Manager), Patrick Omoding (Assistant Team Manager), Noah Kayongo (Physio), Musa Rajab (Team Doctor), Jude Rwakayanga ( Conditioning Coach)

Photo Credit: Uganda Rugby Union

2022 U20 Barthes Trophy fixtures released

The Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy gets underway this Saturday at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.

The tournament, which serves as the Africa’s U20 championship features eight teams and will be played on a knockout basis over three match days.

There will be four quarterfinal fixtures on Saturday 9 April 2022 with the semifinals set for Wednesday 13 April at the same venue.

The title decider will be played on Sunday 17 April.

Former champions Namibia will get the tournament underway when they face Cote d’Ivoire in the opening fixture, paving the way for the second clash between Tunisia and Zimbabwe.

Madagascar, losing finalists in 2021 will take on Zambia in the day’s third fixture before hosts and defending champions Kenya take on next door neighbors Uganda in the final quarterfinal fixture.

Meanwhile, this year’s tournament is open to the public. Regular tickets will retail at Ksh 300 with VIP tickets retailing at Ksh 1000 per match day. Further ticketing information will be released in a subsequent communication.

Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy

Match Day 1, Saturday 9 April 2022

QF1 9.00am Namibia v Cote d’Ivoire

QF2 11.30am Tunisia v Zimbabwe

QF3 2.00pm Madagascar v Zambia

QF4 4.30pm Kenya v Uganda

Match Day 2, Wednesday 13 April 2022

CM1 9.00am Loser QF1 v Loser QF2

CM2 11.30am Loser QF3 v Loser QF4

SF1 2.00pm Winner QF1 v Winner QF4

SF2 4.30pm Winner QF2 v Winner QF3

Match Day 3, Sunday 17 March 2022

PO1 9.00am Loser CM1 v Loser CM2

PO2 11.30am Winner CM1 v Winner CM2

Bronze Medal Match: 2.00pm Loser SF1 v Loser SF2

Final: 4.30pm Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

Mutai counts on Chipu’s systems ahead of Barthes Trophy decider

Defending Champions Kenya opened their U20 Barthes Trophy campaign with a huge 50-3 win over Senegal on Saturday 26 June 2021 and will be looking to replicate the same performance when they face Madagascar in the last fixture of this year’s tournament.

Kenya unlike Madagascar has been in camp for almost three weeks and the Team Manager, former Kenyan International scrum-half Peter Mutai believes this will work to their advantage.

Peter Mutai

“The camp has been good; we have gotten to be together for the past three weeks. We have worked on our systems and polished the mistakes we made against Senegal and we are now working on a system to take on Madagascar,” says Mutai.

Chipu sat out last weekend’s game and Mutai is confident they have enough knowledge on Madagascar’s game to develop a winning formula. “The team, as well as the technical bench, has watched Madagascar’s game against Senegal and it has helped us in preparing,” adds Mutai.

The game on Sunday will be a winner takes it all kind of game and the defending champions are not taking any chances. “We are leaving nothing to chance. Madagascar is better than Senegal so we expect a really tough game. We are really prepared,” says Mutai.

Kenya U20s huddle up before their 50-3 win over Senegal at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday 26 June 2021

Physicality and dominance have been pillars of the Kenyan game for years and that might just be on display again this weekend. “We want to be very brutal in our set-pieces and very clinical in our finishing,” says Mutai.

Senegal gave Kenya a run for their money in the first half of their game. This time round, Mutai is hoping for a different approach from the start.

“Sometimes it takes a while to get going and the team might find it difficult to score. We are hoping for a quicker and faster start this weekend. That is why we have named a strong starting fifteen and an even stronger bench,” says Mutai.

Kenya will be using this tournament as preparation for next year’s Junior World Trophy. There is really no pressure to perform according to the former Kenya International. “The boys have come a long way; the coaches have done a great job. We know some boys will leave the team after the tournament but we still have a core of around fifteen players we will build on next year. So far we do not really feel any pressure.”

“For us it is all about the system. The system helps you beat defenses as well as build defenses. The system also helps you score points that is why we are keen on developing our very own full-functional system of play,” concludes Mutai.

The final ranking will be determined after the game. Kenya will take on Madagascar in the 1.30 pm kick-off on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium in what has been dubbed the “Super Sunday.”

-James Njenga/U20 Barthes Trophy Media Team

Madagascar expect physical battle against Kenya in Barthes Trophy decider

Nairobi, Friday 9 July 2021….Despite a late arrival for the U20 Barthes Trophy in Nairobi, the Junior Maki’s went ahead and shocked Senegal with a 34-3 victory in their first game at the Nyayo National Stadium.

The Junior Makis have certainly been impressive with their fleet feet and fast-paced rugby.

They head into this weekend’s fixture against Kenya refreshed after a week of recovery and preparations and the camp is looking lively according to skipper and talisman, Setra Solofoniaina Andriamasinjanahary.

“We have had more than enough time to recover. I am feeling okay and the whole team is also fine and ready to go this weekend,” says Setra. These two sides are no strangers to each other having last met in the same competition on 28 March 2018 at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek. Kenya won the game 51-13.

Action between Madagascar and Senegal on 3 July 2021 at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. Madagascar won this clash 34-3

The coach, Rakotoarivelo Mboazafy Noé insists that they are here for the trophy. “We want nothing less than to be crowned U20 champions of Africa.”

Sunday’s game against hosts and defending champions Chipu of Kenya is winner takes it all and Setra, and his team, is anxiously waiting for the moment. “We have been waiting for this moment since we played Senegal. Our training sessions have been geared towards countering Kenya’s strengths and we cannot wait,” adds Setra.

Despite their impressive showing against Senegal last weekend, Setra and his coach are not blind to the fact that the Kenyans are bigger and they have devised a way to counter that aspect. “The Kenyans are big, we are smaller so we have devised our own trick to beat them, we just have to wait for Sunday,” concludes Setra.

Madagascar were 34-3 winners over Senegal in U20 Barthes Trophy action at the Nyayo National Stadium on 3 July 2021

Madagascar will be relying heavily on influential center Salotra Lucas Rakotomalala who scored a brace of tries against Senegal and is joint-second on the tournament’s try-scoring charts.

The team has been training in a bio-bubble environment the whole tournament and despite not being able to move around Nairobi, Setra is happy with the City under the sun. “Nairobi is a very good place. Our stay in Kenya so far has been very good. We have no complaints,” adds Setra.

The tournament is being played in a round-robin format and the final rankings will be determined after the game.

Madagascar will take on Kenya in the 1.30 pm kick-off on Sunday 11 July in what has been dubbed the “Super Sunday.”

-James Njenga/U20 Barthes Trophy Media Team

Top point scorers after match day two

Kenya utility back Matoka Matoka leads the points scoring charts at the 2021 U20 Barthes Trophy after two rounds of action at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on 26th June and 3rd July.

A total of 90 points have been scored in the competition thus far, coming off 14 tries, 4 penalties and 4 conversions. No drop goal has been scored yet.

Matoka has 15 points coming off 1 try, 2 conversions and 2 penalties.

Three players are on 10 points namely Madagascar’s Salotra Lucas Rakotomalala and the Kenyan duo of William Opaka and Tyson Juma. The trio also collectively leads the top try scorer’s chart having scored 2 tries apiece.

Four Madagascar players namely Erica Bruno Randrianantenaina,Elson Gabriel Nomenjanahary Hasina,Francky Kefu Randriatiana and Alain Alexandre Randriafara as well as Kenyans Reinhard Ngaira, Ibrahim Ayodi and Anderson Oduor each have 5 points, having scored a try apiece.

The Senegalese duo of Ameth Sall and Mamadou Nguissaly Sarr both have 3 points, each having landed a penalty in their team’s losses to Kenya and Madagascar respectively.

The Madagascar duo of Fiononona Rolland Rakotoson and Lionel Hadjy Rahajanirina round off the scorers charts, each scoring 2 points from conversions in their team’s 34-3 win over Senegal on Saturday 3 July 2021.

The actions comes to a close on Sunday 11 July 2021 when defending champions Kenya and Madagascar face off in a winner takes all clash at the Nyayo National Stadium to determine the 2021 U20 Barthes Trophy champion.

NAMETEAMTRYCONVERSIONPENALTYDROP GOALTOTAL POINTS
Matoka MatokaKENYA122015
Salotra Lucas RakotomalalaMADAGASCAR200010
William OpakaKENYA200010
Tyson JumaKENYA200010
Erica Bruno RandrianantenainaMADAGASCAR10005
Elson Gabriel Nomenjanahary HasinaMADAGASCAR10005
Francky Kefu RandriatianaMADAGASCAR10005
Alain Alexandre RandriafaraMADAGASCAR10005
Reinhard NgairaKENYA10005
Ibrahim AyodiKENYA 10005
Anderson OduorKENYA10005
Ameth SallSENEGAL00103
Mamadou Nguissaly SarrSENEGAL00103
Fiononona Rolland RakotosonMADAGASCAR01002
Lionel Hadjy RahajanirinaMADAGASCAR 01002