Chipu Under 20 during the naming of the Kenya U20 Squad at KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka in preparation for the Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy action to be held at Nyayo national stadium from 22-30 April. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
Kenya Chipu will be hoping to reclaim the Under-20 Barthes Cup Trophy when this year's edition gets underway on Saturday with defending champions Zimbabwe taking on Cote d'Ivoire from 9am at Nyayo Stadium.
The 2023 edition has attracted eight teams in Africa. The winner of the tourney will book a ticket of this year's World Rugby Junior Trophy that will also be held in Kenya come July.
Last year, Chipu thrashed Uganda 54-20 in quarterfinals before losinmg to Namibia 16-5 in semi-final.
Eventually, Chipu remained home with the bronze medal after hitting Madagascar 49-15 in third place playoff. Uganda finished sixth after succumbing 24-11 against Tunisia in fifth place playoff.
Zimbabwe stunned heavyweights Namibia 19-14 in last year's final.
After the opening match, Namibia will play Zambia from 11.30am before Madagascar take on Tunisia from 2pm.
Hosts Kenya will close the day with their encounter against Uganda.
Saturday Barthes Trophy fixtures
Zimbabwe v Cote d'Ivoire (9am)
Namibia v Zambia (11.30am)
Madagascar v Tunisia (2pm)
Kenya v Uganda (4.30pm)
Venue- Nyayo Stadium
