Chipu out to tame odds favourite Namibia as Barthés Cup heats up
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 23.04.25. | 09:11
Chipu came into the tournament as defending champions, having claimed their third Barthés Trophy in 2024 after beating Zimbabwe 28-13 in Harare
The Kenya U20 men's national rugby 15's team, Chipu, will be aiming to secure their second win of the 2025 Rugby Africa Barthés Trophy when they square off against Namibia on Wednesday, 23 April, at the Old Hararians Sports Club in Zimbabwe.
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Fresh off a hard-fought 29-21 victory over Tunisia in their opening match, the Simon Jawichre-coached side will be looking to build on their positive start and keep their title defense on course.
Chipu came into the tournament as defending champions, having claimed their third Barthés Trophy in 2024 after beating Zimbabwe 28-13 in Harare.
This clash carries extra weight, with Chipu eager to recreate their 2024 heroics when they edged out Namibia 34-28 in a tense encounter.
But the Kenyan youngsters are fully aware that they will face a Namibian side that is brimming with confidence after a dominant 41-22 victory over hosts and former champions Zimbabwe.
Namibia’s performance has made them one of the teams to watch in this year’s edition.
Speaking ahead of the match, Chipu captain Roy Maruti noted that his teammates are aware of the magnitude of the challenge ahead.
"We have been training well. The boys are ready, and what we want as a team is a win, and we are very ready,” Maruti started.
“We urge our fans to support us in large numbers. You can watch the game on Rugby Africa pages, and for those in Zimbabwe, if you can find time to come, please do. We welcome you," he continued.
Following the Chipu-Namibia fixture, Tunisia will take on Zimbabwe at 4:00 pm in the second game of the day.
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The final round of action is scheduled for Sunday, 27 April. Namibia will face Tunisia at 12:00 pm, before a potential tournament decider between Zimbabwe and Kenya at 3:00 pm.
Since its inception in 2008, the Barthés Trophy has evolved into one of Rugby Africa’s most prestigious age-grade competitions, providing a platform for rising rugby stars across the continent.
The tournament has played a critical role in talent development, with several alumni now featuring for their senior national teams or plying their trade internationally.
This year’s tournament is also shaping up to be a farewell tour for many former Barthés stars, who will be aiming to end their junior careers on a high before possibly representing their countries at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
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