Barthes Cup: Chipu continue preparations ahead of tournament kick off

The men’s national U20 rugby side, Chipu, will on Saturday afternoon continue with their preparations ahead of the 2022 Barthes Cup that is set to officially kick off next Saturday 9 April 2022.

This weekend, the Curtis Olago-coached side who are the Barthes Cup defending champions, will play their second build up match at the Impala Grounds where they will face off against Strathmore Leos’ second string side, Katulus.

Since February, the junior side, who have won the trophy in the latest two editions held (2019 and 2021), have been engaged in training camps as they once again look to defend the title on home soil.

“The Kenya U20 National Men’s team will take on the second-string side of Strathmore, Katulus, on Saturday 2nd April at the Impala Grounds. This will be the second preparation match for the Curtis Olago charges who faced KCB II last Saturday at the Lions Den, suffering a 10-27 loss,” Kenya Rugby Union posted on the website.

Chipu provincial squad for Barthes Cup named

“They have had several training camps since February preparing to defend their Barthes Trophy title in this year’s tournament that runs from 9th to 17th of April at the Nyayo National Stadium. Their match against Katulus is set to kick off at exactly 1:00 pm,” the statement added.

This year, the Barthes Cup will have a full eight teams fighting for the title after only three teams showed up last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Namibia, Zambia, Uganda, Tunisia, Madagascar, Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe will be the teams making their way into the country for the tournament that will run from 9-17 April.

Chipu edged Madagascar 21-20 in the 2021 Barthes Cup final to retain the title they won back in 2019 with the 2020 edition failing to kick-off due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The tournament will be played in a knockout format with the winners proceeding to the main cup semifinals and the losers dropping to the placement matches.

Chipu Provisional Squad for Barthes Cup

Anthony Dimba, Stanislaus Shikholi, Joseph Ayiro, Raymond Chacha (Strathmore Leos), Mathias Osimbo (Sigalagala), Cornelius Mokoro, Wilhite Mususi, Vincent Omondi, Patrick Nyaga, (Kenya Harlequin), Pesian Elvis Kolian, Roy Mulievi, Tyson Juma Maina, Tony Owino Oketch (Menengai Oilers), Charles Odhiambo Omoro (Nondescripts), Samuel Mwaura (Topfry Nakuru), Felix Chacha (Mwamba), Paywick Munoko (Masinde Muliro), Bill Abuom, Brian Makaya (Mean Machine), David Mwangi (Laiser Hill Academy), John Baraka (Kabras Sugar), Gilbert Ogutu, Craig Odhiambo, Anderson Oduor (Resolution Impala Saracens), Solomon Maleu, Allan Zaddock, Malvin Nganga (Homeboyz), Laban Kipsang (Eldoret), Augustine Owino, Meshack Ochieng, Randy Odhiambo, Emmanuel Opondo (Daystar Falcons), Brian Otieno (Comras), ldd Gaguma, Adnan Juma (South Coast Pirates), Nicholas Otieno Okullo (Blak Blad).