Kenya U20 rugby team have secured a spot in the Barthes Trophy final after defeating Namibia 24-13 in the semis played on Wendesday at Nyayo Stadium.
This victory is particularly satisfying for coach Curtis Olago and his team lost to Namibia at the same stage in 2022.
First 15 minutes
The first 15 minutes of the match were eventful, with no points scored. Namibia finally broke the deadlock with a penalty in the 16th minute, taking a 3-0 lead.
Kenya’s fly-half Eddy Wambugu had a chance to equalize the score with a penalty 10 minutes later but missed. Namibia also had a chance to extend their lead, but their kicker failed to convert.
Wambugu had another opportunity to level the scores just before halftime, but once again missed the target.
However, Wambugu made up for his earlier misses by scoring a try just before halftime. He broke away from his markers after receiving the ball from a disrupted maul and raced towards the posts, which he successfully converted to give Kenya a 7-3 lead at halftime.
Namibia struck back early in the second half with a converted try, taking a 10-7 lead. However, Kenya quickly regained their lead with Raymond Chacha scoring a try, which Wambugu converted to make it 14-10.
Namibia managed to reduce the gap to one point with a penalty, but Patrick Wainaina, who took over the kicking duties, kicked a penalty to give Kenya a 17-13 lead.
Jacktone Omondi, who came off the bench in the first half, scored a try off a ruck, which was converted by Wainaina, extending Kenya’s lead to 24-13. Despite Namibia’s efforts, Kenya held on for the win and will now face Zimbabwe in the final on Sunday.
Namibia vs Kenya U20 Barthes Trophy semis squads:
Namibia : 1. Johan Brockma 2. Lodewickus Karsten 3.Herman Coetzee 4. Nguvitja Tjaronda 5. Theo Lintvelt 6. Kistings Minyoi 7. Ray Feris 8. Joe Corne Losper (Capt ) 9. Armand Kotze 10. Ethan Koopman 11. Manfred Garoeb 12. Owen Hawanga 13. Natie Van Rensburg 14. Divan Steyn 15. William KlazenREPLACEMENTS 16. Dandre Schreuder 17. Johannes Husselman 18. Filippus Tshuuya 19. Matthew Quinn 20. Salomom Maritz 21. Enrique Husselman 22. Keenan Januarie 23. Nicolas Tromp
Kenya U20: 1. Geylord Ngasi 2. Mike Oduor 3. Raymond Chacha 4. Stanslaus Shikoli 5. Eugene Etale 6. Laban Kipsang (Capt 7. Iddo Kuta 8. James Asanga 9. Patrick Wainaina 10. Eddy Wambugu 11. Raphael Wanga 12. Chacha Masega 13. Mike Wamalwa 14. Victor Odhiambo 15. Faran Juma
REPLACEMENTS 16. George Otieno 17. Brian Makaya 18. Dennis Kisingu 19. Jacktone Omondi 20. William Otondi 21. Edmond Omondi 22. Zephenes Obwanga 23. Kennedy Claude
