Hosts pip Uganda to reach semi-finals of annual Barthes Cup rugby tourney in Nairobi
By Benson Mbare, April 24, 2023
Kenya’s national under 20 national rugby team Chipu on Saturday qualified for the Semi-finals of this year’s Barthes Cup tournament after a convincing 44-20 win over neighbours Uganda in a lively fixture staged at the Nyayo Stadium.
The Curtis Olago-coached side led 29-13 heading to the intervals kick-starting their quest to reclaim the Junior championship title.
Chipu will now face Namibia in the semifinals while Zimbabwe have booked a date with Tunisia.
Tunisia booked their U20 Barthes Trophy semifinal ticket courtesy of a 54-16 win over the Junior Makis of Madagascar who will now play Ivory Coast in the next stage of the tournament.
Barthes Cup defending champions Zimbabwe sent an early warning to opponents after thrashing Côte d’Ivoire 55-0 in the same venue.
On the same breath, Tunisia upset Madagascar 50-16 in the third quarter-final while Namibia defeated Zambia 20-12.
The Under-20 Barthes Trophy is the premier junior rugby tournament in Africa which acts as the qualifying event for World U-20 Rugby Trophy.
Winners of the eight-nation annual competition will be crowned African champions and book a ticket to the World U-20 Trophy slated for July this year at Nyayo Stadium.
Deserve win
Chipu demolished Uganda 54-20 in quarter-finals of the last year’s edition but lost to Namibia 16-5 in the semi-final stage before settling for bronze after a 49-15 deservingly win over Madagascar 49-15 in the third-place playoff.
Head coach Curtis Olago who has a vast experience in matters of rugby Olago has issued a rallying call to his players to deliver the required results while at the same time urging the home fans to come out in large to support Chipu.
Olago however said his charges will take each game at a time as they kick off their quest to win the Barthes Cup coveted title.
“We are going to concentrate on what we have been doing best, it’s our first game of the tournament so each fixture at a time then later we can be able to analyse other teams and be able to know our weaknesses and strengths,” Olago said.