Barthes Trophy: Chipu begin title defense against Uganda as continental tourney gets underway

The men’s national U20 rugby 15s side, Kenya Chipu will be out to once again defend their Barthes Trophy on home soil when the 2022 edition of the U20 continental tournament finally gets underway on Saturday 9 April 2022 at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Having managed to defend the title that they first won in 2019 last year (2021), the Curtis Olago-coached side have a very possible chance of making it three straight tournament wins when they begin their hunt in a knockout quarterfinal clash against neighbours Uganda in the match christened as the junior edition of the fierce Elgon Cup clash.

This year, the revamped tournament will see eight teams – Kenya, Uganda, Namibia, Tunisia, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe, Zambia - battle for glory after last year’s competition witnessed only three teams (Kenya, Senegal, Madagascar) taking part due to the novel coronavirus pandemic that made it impossible to have other sides participate after ensuring the 2020 edition failed to take place.

With the increased participants and the tournament being played on a knockout basis, Chipu have their work cut out as they play their first match where there is no room for any errors in the quest to defend their title.

“We have been forced to work with very limited time in terms of preparation. However, we are doing everything to make sure the boys are ready when the tournament gets underway. This is a very huge responsibility for the young boys who are still very fresh to the side.

The quality of competition this year is very different from last year as there are more teams and also it is a knockout competition meaning every game is a final starting from the very first game. It is a fair challenge but I believe we will be able to face it with the preparations that we have had,” Motto Williams, one of the Chipu coaches posted.

While the Kenya versus Uganda game will close of the day’s action in the last kickoff slated for 1630EAT, three other matches will precede as the tourney gets underway.

In the first quarterfinal kicking off at 0900EAT, former champions and 2019 losing finalists Namibia will set the ball rolling when they face Cote d’Ivoire before paving the way for the second clash between Tunisia and Zimbabwe that is set for an 1130EAT tentative start.

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The Junior Makis from Madagascar, who narrowly lost the tournament in 2021 to Kenya (21-20), will then commence their bid against Zambia before Chipu take to the field in the last action of the day.

Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy Match Schedule

Match Day 1, Saturday 9 April 2022

QF1 9.00am Namibia v Cote d’Ivoire

QF2 11.30am Tunisia v Zimbabwe

QF3 2.00pm Madagascar v Zambia

QF4 4.30pm Kenya v Uganda