Category: Kenya

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

Winning start for Kenya as U20 Barthes Trophy kicks off in Nairobi

Kenya U20, popularly known as Chipu, defeated Senegal U20 50-3 in the first match of this year’s U20 Barthes Trophy played on Saturday 26th June 2021 at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

Matoka Matoka and Tyson Juma scored a brace each as Reinhard Mwalati, Anderson Oduor, Ibrahim Ayodi and William Opaka grabbed a try each. Matoka Matoka added two penalties and two conversions.  Senegal managed a penalty goal through their Captain Ameth Sarr.

Kenya’s Chipu prepare for Barthes U20 Trophy defense

A 28 strong Kenya U20 training squad has been preparing for their Barthes U20 Trophy defense under the tutelage of Head Coach Curtis Olago.

The side has had a series of training camps in Nairobi and Nakuru over the past month and has also had the opportunity to play two training matches against local club sides KCB and Mwamba, winning both, albeit by close margins, 15-10 against KCB and 12-10 against Mwamba.

Commenting on the team’s preparations ahead of the tournament runs in Nairobi from 24th June to 3rd July, Team Manager Peter Mutai said, “ The preparations have been going on well. We are pleased to see the team beginning to gel as we draw closer to the tournament. There is still some tuning to do ahead of the competition but so far, so good.”

The former Kenyan international scrumhalf also said that the squad will be whittled down to 25 closer to the tournament.

Kenya’s U20s, affectionately referred to as Chipu are the defending champions of this tournament which serves as the Rugby Africa U20 Championship. They won the title with a 21-18 win over Namibia at the KCB Sports Club in Nairobi in April 2019. They will contend with opposition from former champions Namibia as well as Senegal and Madagascar when this year’s event takes place at the Nyayo National Stadium

Provisional Chipu squad:

Nicholas Otieno Okullo, Celestine Mboi, Collins Indeche, John Baraka (Captain), Wilhite Musisi (Vice Captain), Mohammed Khaidar, Tyson Juma Maina, Felix Chacha, Richel Wangila, Reinhard Mwalati Ngaira, Arnold Onzere, Amon Wamalwa, Andrew Wangila, Ibrahim Ayoo, Tony Amoyah, Maxwell Atera, Edwin Nyachio, Amos Mokoro, Andrew Matoka (Vice Captain), Mathias Osimbo, Anderson Oduor, Aggrey Javan Olando, William Opaka, Shem Oloo Okola, Laban Kipsang, Roy Mulievi, Reagan Juma, Pesian Elvis Kolian