
Barthes Trophy 2022: Zimbabwe sink Madagascar to book final ticket
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 13.04.22. | 19:14
The team dislodged last year's finalists to book the Namibians in the final
A highly physical Zimbabwe booked their ticket to the 2022 finale of the U20 Barthes Trophy as they knocked out 2021 finalists Madagascar to set up a clash against rivals Namibia in the championship decider.
In the second semifinal match played at the Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday evening, the charging Zimbabweans outclassed Junior Makis 32-3 to give themselves a shot at the 2022 title with Madagascar dropping to the 3/4th playoff where they will face Kenya Chipu who were knocked out by Namibia in the first last four.
As the match got underway, Madagascar threatened to cause trouble early on as they surged to a 3-0 lead with a converted penalty inside the opening two minutes from full back Elson Gabriel.
Immediately though, Zimbabwe snatched the lead as Tanaka Gondomukandapi landed a quick brace to get his side to 10-3 as the conversion attempts just fell short.
As the game got to the half way interval, they kept the board ticking as Rojo Rakoto scored a penalty to help his side to a 13-3 lead at the break.
It’s a win for Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 #u20barthestrophynairobi #officialkru #ministryofsports #sportsfund #teamkenya pic.twitter.com/aGLkuJvESb
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) April 13, 2022
In the second half, ill discipline came to haunt Madagascar as they took four yellow cards that made the Zimbabweans' work a bit easy. This is even after Zimbabwe had been reduced to 14 men after one of their players was red carded for a foul tackle.
With numerical advantage, Zimbabwe added sixteen points via two unconverted penalties and two penalties to seal the 32-3 victory.













