The Madagascar U20 team arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday evening and will take part in the 2021 U20 Barthes Trophy against Senegal and hosts Kenya at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Madagascar are late entrants into the tournament after having troubles traveling due to a closed air space necessitate by an upsurge in coronavirus cases in the island nation.

Their first game comes fast against 2019’s U20 Barthes Trophy second runners up Senegal U20.  It is not the first time these two sides are playing each other in this competition, their last encounter dating back to 2015. Senegal emerged 34-32 victors in what was a high-scoring yet very close encounter. 

Madagascar’s team Captain, SetraSolofoniaina is optimistic that they will come good on Saturday. “We have played Senegal before, we know how they play and we have certainly improved as a team since our last match with them,” says Setra.

The Malagasy boys are aware that they will be facing a wounded Senegal U20 who lost their opening match 50-3 against the hosts Kenya last Saturday and will be looking to tread carefully.

“I will not disclose a lot but we have a game plan to tackle Senegal and we are sure it will work come Saturday afternoon,” concludes Setra.

Madagascar U20 will take on Senegal U20 in a 1.30 pm kickoff at the Nyayo National Stadium as part of an action-packed “Super Saturday”. The other games on offer are: Kenya Lionesses vs Madagascar (RAC) at 11 am and Kenya vs Senegal (RAC) at 4 pm.

Flying their flag proudly, Madagascar has finally landed in Kenya for The U20 Barthés Trophy which kicked off on June 26 at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium and will run until July 11, 2021.

Initially hit by travelling restrictions and closed borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rugby Africa was able to assist with sending the team to Kenya, while adhering to COVID-19 procedures and protocols.

Vying for this year’s African Junior Champion title will be defending champions Kenya, Senegal and now Madagascar. The fourth team, Namibia, were forced to miss the tournament as increased number of Covid cases in the country prevented them from travelling.

As a result of their withdrawal, one match was played on Saturday 26 June. Hosts and defending champions Kenya defeated Senegal 50 -3 in that encounter.

The remaining fixtures are as follows

1)      3 July: Senegal versus Madagascar

2)      11 July: Kenya versus Madagascar

The U20 Barthes Trophy symbolizes the start of three weeks of international rugby action taking place on Kenyan soil. Their men’s fifteens national team, Simbas will host Zambia and Senegal in the Rugby Africa Cup between 3 and 11 July while their women’s fifteens squad, Lionesses will play Madagascar on 3 and 11 July.

The President of Malagasy Rugby Union Marcel Rakotomalala said it would be the first time that three national Malagasy teams would be travelling together to participate in three competitions.

“We are extremely thrilled that three of our national teams will be proudly representing Madagascar in Kenya, and we are grateful for all the support shown by our host Kenya Rugby Union. This has been because of a lot of hard work, negotiation and determined collaboration with Rugby Africa to find solutions to travel challenges caused by border closures in Madagascar due to the pandemic. All three teams have been in camp, preparing for the tournaments and eager to play.”

Chairman of the Kenya Rugby Union OduorGangla said: “On behalf of the KRU, I wish to extend a very warm welcome to Madagascar Rugby teams on their tour to Kenya. We commend the Malagasy Rugby Union and Rugby Africa for doing all things necessary to ensure that the tour takes off and Madagascar is able to participate in both the Barthes Trophy and the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup.”

“Their actions embody the solidarity of the rugby family and we applaud them for their courage in continuing to play the game despite the levels of the pandemic. We look forward to their participation in making the international events a phenomenal success,” he added.

Sponsored by the Société Générale, The U20 Barthés Trophy is the only junior tournament in Africa where generally eight national U20 teams compete for the title. 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. At the time competing teams included Kenya, Namibia, Senegal, Madagascar, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia.

This year’s U20 BarthésTrophy, however, will be a good preparation for Kenya – who automatically qualify for and will also host the 2022 Junior World Rugby Trophy at Nairobi’s Nyayo national stadium.

Saturday 3 July 2021

Kenya Lionesses v Madagascar- 1100am (RAC women)

Senegal U20 v Madagascar U20 – 1.30pm (U20 Barthes Trophy)

Kenya v Senegal – 4.00pm (RAC)

Wednesday 7 July

Senegal v Zambia – 3.00pm (RAC)

Sunday 11 July

Kenya v Madagascar – 11.00am (RAC Women)

Kenya U20 v Madagascar U20- 1.30pm (U20 Barthes Trophy)

Kenya v Zambia – 4.00pm (RAC)

Madagascar will land in Nairobi on Wednesday 30 June ahead of their U20 Barthes Trophy fixtures against Senegal on 3 July and Kenya on 11 July at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Also landing in Nairobi on the same flight will be the Madagascar women’s national team who will play two Rugby Africa Women’s Cup test matches against the Lionesses on the same dates at the same venue

Senegal’s quest for glory last time out may not have gone according to plan but the West African nation is in the country for the 2021 edition of the U20 Barthes Trophy and they are confident they will emerge victorious this time around.

A 45-12 defeat to former holders Namibia in the semifinals of the 2019 tournament meant that they had to shelve their ambition for the top prize and fight for survival against Tunisia on the final day.

“Our trip to Kenya last time was good although our aim was to win the tournament. We did not win but third was not so bad. Thankfully we have another chance to go at it again this year,” says their captain Ameth Sarr.

Sarr, a member of the squad that played in Nairobi two years ago, is confident that this is their time to shine especially with the unfortunate events surrounding Namibia. “Unfortunately Namibia pulled out of the tournament. It is sad but our expectations have not changed. We will enjoy ourselves.”

Senegal is set to take on hosts and defending Champions Kenya, popularly known as Chipu, in the first match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday 26^th June. Sarr acknowledges how good their opponents are but insists that they are not fazed.

“Kenya is a very good side, we have watched them play a few times, we have also met once, and they are good no doubt. We are however very prepared to give it our best shot, a win is our target,” opines Sarr.

Just before Senegal boarded the flight to Kenya, National hero, and star of the Senegalese National football team Sadio Mane visited the team in camp.  “It is a huge boost to us, he has achieved a lot and having such a huge personality visit us in camp makes us want to perform at this tournament,” concludes Sarr.

A true journeyman, Sarr has played almost every position in a rugby game, from front row to full back and both wings and now, he will be turning out at first center for this particular tournament. He will hope that his versatility coupled with his experience from the previous tournament can inspire his charges to glory.

As we embark on the start of the U20 Barthes Trophy 2021, allow me to extend a warm welcome to all teams and match officials who have arrived for the tournament.

This is the first international rugby event happening in Kenya since the onset of COVID-19 some fourteen months ago. It has been challenging to get this event up and running in light of the prevailing circumstances but we ensured that the tournament happens in a safe environment.  COVID is going to be with us for a long time and we must learn to adapt to its presence in all spheres of our daily lives.
We are following all Government and World Rugby COVID-19 protocols and I am glad to report that all players have tested negative ahead of the tournament’s official kick-off.

Kenya and Senegal will play the first match of this year’s U20 Barthes Trophy at 4.00pm EAT at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday 26 June 2021.

There will be no fans allowed into the stadium but we have made arrangements to ensure that the fixture is aired live by our broadcast partner, Mediamax. It will also air on the Kenya Rugby Union and Rugby Africa digital platforms and we invite all spectators to follow the proceedings through these platforms.

I would like to thank Rugby Africa for granting Kenya the U20 Barthes Trophy hosting rights for a three period between 2020 and 2022. They have pulled out all stops to ensure that the event takes off.

The Government of Kenya, particularly the Ministry of Sport, Culture and Heritage under the leadership of the Honorable Cabinet Secretary, Amb (Dr) Amina Mohammed and Principal Secretary Joe Okudo have been of immense help to the Kenya Rugby Union.

Not only did they support our bid to host this event, but they have also been pivotal in seeking the input of other State agencies to make sure that the 2021 U20 Barthes Trophy takes place successfully.
Our commercial partners have come in to support the event and their contributions cannot go unnoticed.  
I want to give a special mention to the Local Organizing Committee who have dedicated their time and worked diligently under the prevailing circumstances to deliver this tournament to the world.

The U20 Barthes Trophy symbolizes the start of three weeks of international rugby action taking place on Kenyan soil. Our men’s fifteens national team, Simbas will host Zambia and Senegal in the Rugby Africa Cup between 3^rd and 11^th July while our women’s fifteens squad, Lionesses will play Madagascar on 7^th July.

We are looking forward to this great action as we welcome the return of high octane, international rugby to Kenya.

Oduor Gangla,
Chairman, Kenya Rugby Union

As the 2021 edition of the continental youth tournament – The U20 Barthés Trophy – kicks off in Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium from 24 June – 4 July 2021,the Senegalese team arrived in Nairobi in the early hours of Thursday morning before heading to their training bubble at Nairobi’s Brookhouse School, in preparation for the event that takes place in the Kenyan capital from 26th June 2021.

The squad who finished third in the last edition of the tournament held at Nairobi’s KCB Sports Club in 2019 will be looking to draw on inspiration from Senegalese football star Sadio Mane who recently attended a training session with the team ahead of their departure to Nairobi.

Senegal squad:Ndoye Mame Mbaye, Dieng Alioune Ukpabi Emaka Odionyenfe, Coly Ndiame Fall, Balde Bubacar, Niakh Seydou, Kebe Mouhamed, Dabo Idrissa, FallMadiagne, ThianaAmeth, Sarr Mamadou Nguissaly, Paye Mouhamed, Cisse Bara, Ndiaye Assane, Niang Serigne Fallou, Sagna Pape Alassane, Mane Jean De Dieu, Diouf Ibrahima, Diedhiou Mamadou Moustapha, SallAmeth, Kane Ahmed Tidiane, Yetara Youssouf, Diallo Guy Ibrahima, Sagna Mokhtar, Sarr Benoit Officials: Sambou Bourama,Fall Amadou Madani, Basene Moulangui Jacques

Meanwhile, competing team Namibia will no longer be participating as increased number of covid cases in the country prevent them from travelling.

Also finding a challenge to travel to Kenya is Madagascar who have also been hit by travelling restrictions and closed borders due to the escalating pandemic. Their participation is not confirmed at this stage, but all options are being explored to secure travel arrangements.

Speaking about effects of the pandemic on the tournament, Rugby Africa’s President, Mr Khaled Babbou, said, “Despite the challenging backdrop of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the Kenya Rugby Union has gone out of its way to make sure the U20 Barthés Trophy will be hosted successfully. For this, we at Rugby Africa are very grateful and we also highly value the support of the Kenyan local authorities. This should have been a bigger event with 4 teams competing for the African Champion title but nevertheless we are eager to see the young boys returning on the field of play. They represent the future of African rugby and this is an exciting opportunity for them.”

Andrew Owor, Rugby Africa Vice President added, “As much as we are keen and excited to host our young players in the U20 competition, we know that precautions need to be taken to protect the players in their home countries, and we respect the decision of local authorities in managing the pandemic. The tournament is not cancelled and more information and details on the programme will be shared in due time.”

Sponsored by the Société Générale, the U20 Barthés Trophy is the only junior tournament in Africa where generally eight national U20 teams compete for the title.

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. At the time competing teams included Kenya, Namibia, Senegal, Madagascar, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia.

This year’s U20 BarthésTrophy, however, will be a good preparation for Kenya – who automatically qualify for, and will also host the 2022 Junior World Rugby Trophy at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.

Namibia, will be the first side to arrive for the Rugby Africa Barthes U20 Trophy happening in Nairobi from 24th June to 3rd July.

The former champions will land in Nairobi on Monday 21 June and will be followed by Madagascar and Senegal who will jet in on Wednesday 23 June ahead of matchday 1 action on Saturday 26 June 2021 at the Nyayo National Stadium which will be the tournament’s host venue.

Namibia relinquished their title to Kenya when they fell to a 21-18 defeat in 2019 final played at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka.

The Barthes U20 Trophy is held under the auspices of Rugby Africa and serves as the Africa U20 championship.

Usually, the winner of this competition proceeds to represent Africa at the World Rugby Junior Trophy.