Tag: barthescup

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

21 days to the Barthes U20 Trophy

Organized by Rugby Africa, the Barthes U20 Trophy is the official African rugby championship for national teams in the Under 20 age bracket.

The Barthes Trophy has unearthed future stars of the African game over the years and continues to serve as a talent identification platform and elite player pathway.

It is held on an annual basis and the winners of the competition earn the right to represent the African continent at the World Rugby Junior Trophy.

In 2019, Kenya hosted and won the competition, defeating the then champions Namibia 21-18. The team went on to finish sixth at that year’s World Rugby Junior Trophy tournament in Brazil.

In early 2020, Rugby Africa granted Barthes Trophy hosting rights to the Kenya Rugby Union for a three year period until 2022.

Unfortunately, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition could not be held in 2020.

This year’s competition will be held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi from 24 June to 3 July and features four teams led by the defending champions Kenya, Namibia, Senegal and Madagascar.

Barthes U20 Trophy 2021

Organized by Rugby Africa, the Barthes U20 Trophy is the official African rugby championship for national teams in the Under 20 age bracket.


The Barthes Trophy has unearthed future stars of the African game over the years and continues to serve as a talent identification platform and elite player pathway.


This year’s competition will be held at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi from 24 June to 3 July and features four teams led by the defending champions Kenya, Namibia, Senegal and Madagascar, the event will be hosting approximately 100 players, 30 technical bench members and 20 match officials.

Uniquely the average age of the players are between 17 – 20 years old, To that regard a huge affinity of their peers and parents will be keen to follow what will be a first for many of these players.


Unfortunately, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition could not be held in 2020.  


It is held on an annual basis and the winners of the competition earn the right to represent the African continent at the World Rugby Junior Trophy.


In 2019, Kenya hosted and won the competition,defeating the then champions Namibia 21-18. The team went on to finish sixth at that year’s World Rugby Junior Trophy tournament in Brazil.


In early 2020, Rugby Africa granted Barthes Trophy hosting rights to the Kenya Rugby Union for a three year period until 2022.