Kenya Under-20 rugby side Chipu will face a stern test when they open their Rugby Africa Barthes Cup Performance Division campaign against Zimbabwe at Mutesa II Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
Head coach Simon Jawichre’s charges head into the tournament after a limited preparation period, but remain confident of making a strong start against a well-drilled Zimbabwean side in what is expected to be a fiercely contested encounter.
Jawichre believes the experience of several returning players, who have been part of the programme over the past two years, will be crucial in guiding the youthful squad through the championship.
“We do have players who have been with the programme for the past two years, so I hope that we can use their experience and rugby IQ, coupled with resilience, to get us off to a good start,” said Jawichre.
Chipu have enjoyed recent success in the competition. They lifted the 2024 title after defeating Zimbabwe 28-13 in the final on their home soil, finishing runners-up last year.
During that campaign, Kenya beat Tunisia 29-21 and edged Zimbabwe 21-20 before falling 32-22 to eventual champions Namibia.
The Catholic Monks tactician is also banking on the match fitness of players who featured in the recently concluded National Sevens Circuit and Kenya Cup.
“The variables in 15s and sevens are very different. Some of our key players have just featured in the Dala and Prinsloo Sevens, so in terms of strength and conditioning they are up to the challenge of making the transition to 15s rugby. It now boils down to tactical acumen and adapting to the demands of this tournament,” he added.
Jawichre will look to the exciting Kabras RFC trio of Rayvone Ambale, Michael Lukusi and Jackson Siketi, alongside Mwamba’s Dennis Ndayala, to provide creativity in the backs. Towering 2025 East Africa School Games MVP Matrix Matangi is also in line to make his debut.
In the forwards, Mike Muriithi, Chelsea Otieno, Innocent Muranda, Randy Otuoma and Jibril Joseph are expected to shoulder much of the responsibility at the set piece and in open play.
To strengthen the technical bench, Jawichre has enlisted Kabras RFC coach Carlos Katywa as the team’s forwards coach for the tournament. This year’s Barthes Cup has been restructured into two divisions.
The First Division features hosts Uganda, Zambia and Madagascar, while the Performance Division brings together Kenya, Zimbabwe, defending champions Namibia and Tunisia, with the winner earning Africa’s ticket to the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy.
