Chipu Bathes title defence preparations in high gear
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 14.06.21. | 19:21
Chipu are hoping to retain the title they won back in 2019.
With exactly 10 days left to the Barthes Umder 20 Cup, Kenya is putting in the finishing touches as they hope to retain the title they claimed back in 2019.
The squad currently has 28 youngsters but it is set to undergo some trimming days to the tournament as head coach Curtis Olago is left with a headscratcher on who to include in the final 25-man squad.
Chipu head into the tournament high in spirits after winning two of their tournament warm-up games against local club sides KCB and Mwamba with slim 12-10 and 15-10 victories.
The Barthes Cup reigning champions Team Manager Peter Mutai however admitted that they need to tighten some loose ends before heading into the tournament.
Chipu prepare for Barthes U20 Trophy defense https://t.co/oB8Lb9DO9J
— Kenya Rugby (@OfficialKRU) June 14, 2021
"The preparations have been going on well. We are pleased to see the team beginning to gel as we draw closer to the tournament. There is still some tuning to do ahead of the competition but so far, so good," Mutai told KRU.
The tournament is set to kick off on Thursday 24th June to Saturday 3rd July in Nairobi with Chipu placed in Group A alongside Madagascar, Tunisia and Zambia.
Namibia have however pulled out of the tournament as they issued a statement on Friday, following meetings with the Minister of Sport Agnes Tjongarero, after the Namibian government's recent ban on contact sport due to Covid-19.
The tournament will take place at Nyayo Stadium with Chipu hoping to retain the title that earned them a slot at the 2019 Junior Rugby World trophy in Brazil, where they finished sixth overall.
Provisional Chipu squad: Nicholas Otieno Okullo, Celestine Mboi, Collins Indeche, John Baraka (Captain), Wilhite Musisi (Vice Captain), Mohammed Khaidar, Tyson Juma Maina, Felix Chacha, Richel Wangila, Reinhard Mwalati Ngaira, Arnold Onzere, Amon Wamalwa, Andrew Wangila, Ibrahim Ayoo, Tony Amoyah, Maxwell Atera, Edwin Nyachio, Amos Mokoro, Andrew Matoka (Vice Captain), Mathias Osimbo, Anderson Oduor, Aggrey Javan Olando, William Opaka, Shem Oloo Okola, Laban Kipsang, Roy Mulievi, Reagan Juma, Pesian Elvis Kolian.
