Kenya Under-20 rugby team, popularly known as Chipu, will take on Kenyatta University’s Blak Blad in a build up match at the KCB Sports Ground in Ruaraka this Saturday.
The game is part of Chipu’s preparations for the upcoming 2023 Barthes Trophy which is scheduled for Nairobi later this month.
“This afternoon #Chipu will be facing Kenyatta University’s Blak blad RC at the KCB Sports Ground Ruaraka. This is part of their 2023 #BarthesTrophy preparations. Kick off is 4:00pm,” reads a statement by KRU.
Kenya Under 20 Squad
Kenya Under 20 rugby squad consisting of 39 players has been in training ahead of the Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy tournament, which is scheduled to take place from April 22nd to April 30th, 2023 in Nairobi.
The team, led by Curtis Olago, has seven returning players from last year’s tournament, including David Mwangi, Mathias Osimbo, Felix Masega Chacha, Stanslous Shikoli, Laban Kipsang, George Otieno, and Makaya Brian.
Two other players, Zephenes Obwanga and Iddo Kuta, were part of the 2022 training squad.
About the tournament
The tournament is set to return to Nairobi for a fourth time this April, after previous successful editions in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
The tournament, which doubles as the Africa U20 Championship, will run from the 22nd to the 30th of April, and will bring together eight of Africa’s leading U20 sides, who will battle it out for the overall title and a coveted ticket to this year’s World Rugby Junior Trophy, which will also take place in Nairobi in July.
Countries participating
The participating teams will include defending champions Zimbabwe, last year’s beaten finalists Namibia, the hosts Kenya, and Madagascar, who will all be looking to clinch the trophy. Other teams that will feature in the tournament are Uganda, Zambia, Tunisia, and the Ivory Coast.
The tournament will be played on a knockout basis, with matches spread across three days. The quarterfinals will kick off proceedings on the 22nd of April, followed by the semifinals on the 26th, and the grand finale on the 30th.
The Nyayo National Stadium will serve as the tournament’s venue, and it is expected to host an enthusiastic and passionate crowd of rugby supporters.
Kenya Under 20 (Chipu) Training Squad:
FORWARDS: Raymond Chacha (Strathmore Leos), Dennis Kisingu (Strathmore Leos), Makaya Brian (Mean Machine), Collins Ndambo (Daystar Falcons), George Otieno (Shamas), Mike Oduor (Daystar Falcons),Mark Lubira (USIU Martials), Jeremy Odhiambo (Catholic Monks), Gaylord Mgasi (Daystar Falcons), Ogutu Wycliffe (Daystar Falcons), Michael Jayson (Impala Saracens), John Asega (South Coast Pirates), Ahona Victor (Blak Blad), Andy Cole Omolo (Masinde Muliro), Eugene Etale (Unattached), Eugene Obat (Strathmore Leos), Nathan Tsindoli (Daystar Falcons), Laban Kipsang (Kenya Harlequin), Edmond Omondi ( Masinde Muliro), Jackton Omondi (Kabras Sugar), James Asanga (Menengai Oilers), Iddo Kuta (Kenya Harlequin), Stanslaus Shikoli (Strathmore Leos), Vincent Omondi (Kenya Harlequin), William Otondi (Binghamtom University, USA)BACKS: Patrick Wainaina (Kenya Harlequin), Zephenes Obwanga (Catholic Monks), David Nyanginge (Northern Suburbs),Brian Mwenda (Strathmore Leos), Collins Munyasa (Impala Saracens), Eddy Wambugu (Daystar Falcons), Mike Wamalwa (Catholic Monks), Felix Masega Chacha (Mwamba), Mathias Osimbo (Kabras Sugar), David Mwangi (Kenya Harlequin), Victor Mola (Strathmore Leos), Kerry Otieno (Mwamba), Raphael Wanga (Zetech Oaks), George Omondi (Catholic Monks)
