)
Last year's event saw Kenya settle for third place behind Namibia who were second as Zimbabwe carried the day.
The national rugby under-20 team captain Laban Kipsang is bullish ahead of the Barthes Trophy scheduled for Saturday, April 22 to next Sunday, April 30 at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Chipu will be up against Uganda in their opening match and Kipsang believes they have all it takes to display remarkable results.
During last year’s edition, Kenya thumped Uganda 54-20 and the youngsters will be keen to replicate the same performance as they look to reclaim the title they won in 2021. The event saw them settle for third place behind Namibia who were second as Zimbabwe returned home with the trophy.
“We have been training well for this tournament and I believe we are both mentally and physically ready for the challenge. This time round we want to come all out and make sure we go all the way to the final,” Kipsang said, as quoted by KBC.
)
16:30 - 15.04.2023
RUGBY Why Chipu will have to leave a mark at the 2023 Barthes Trophy
The tournament is scheduled for April 22 to 30 at the Nyayo National Stadium.
This is the sixth time the event is being held in Kenya and the young squad will have an added advantage over the rest of the teams participating.
Kenya has emerged champions in three editions of the event (2007, 2019, and 2021) and will be keen to mark their fourth victory this year.
However, it will not be a smooth ride for the team mostly comprised of an inexperienced squad with only four returnees including Kipsang of Kenya Harlequins, club-mate Dave Mwangi, Mwamba’s Felix Chacha, and Strathmore Leos’ Stanslous Shikoli.
Meanwhile, team manager Peter Mutai is confident that the young team will put their best foot forward and display good results.
)
20:10 - 12.04.2023
RUGBY Former Kenya Under-20 star Ogeta explains how Chipu can reclaim the Bathers Trophy
The winger has advised the current team to be motivated to make history just like the Class of 2019 while using home advantage to the fullest
Mutai also noted that Uganda is a worthy opponent and they will be careful as they face off against them.
“We beat Uganda last year and I know they have also been training very hard with the aim of beating us. We are leaving nothing to chance and we have trained hard so that we can perform well too,” he said.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)