Kenya Chipu begin Barthes Trophy title quest against rivals Uganda

The junior national rugby 15s side Kenya Chipu will be seeking to get their title quest for the U20 Barthes Trophy off to the perfect of starts when they welcome noisy neighbours Uganda in the last quarterfinal clash of the day as the 2023 continental showpiece kicks off at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Saturday.

Chipu, who are looking to reclaim the trophy they lost last year following their third-place finish at the same venue, demolished Uganda 54-20 in the quarter-finals last year, but lost to Namibia 16-5 in the semis before settling for bronze after thrashing Madagascar 49-15 in the third-place playoff.

Speaking ahead of their opening match, Kenya Harlequin youngster Laban Kipsang, who was entrusted with leading the side, backed the team to fight for glory in front of the home crowd.

“We are going to play our hearts and all out to the finals. We are not coming to the tournament just to participate but compete and lift the trophy,” he said.

In the squad named, USA-based William Otondi is set to make his debut in the match.

Otondi, who plays for Binghamton University in the USA National Collegiate Rugby Div 1-AA national competition, will start at the base of the scrum and will be joined in the loose forwards by KIbsang’ and Iddo Kuta while Strathmore Leo’s Stanislaus Shikoli and Eugene Etale will be in the engine room.

USA based Will Otondi looking forward to Kenya Chipu debut

Kenya has four returning players in the squad and all but David Mwangi make it to Curtis Olago’s starting 23 for this particular match against Uganda.

Felix Chacha, another one of the returnees, is the day’s starting second five-eighth and is joined by Mike Wamalwa. Patrick Wainaina and Eddy Wambugu will forge a playmaking partnership at scrumhalf and the first five-eighth respectively.

Title credentials at stake for in-form Tusker and patchy Gor Mahia in mouthwatering Saturday clashes

The match kicks off at 1630EAT.

Kenya’s 23-man squad

1. Geylord Ngasi 2. Jeremy Odhiambo 3. Wycliff Ogutu 4. Stanislaus Shikoli 5. Eugene Etale 6. Laban Kipsang’ (C) 7. Iddo Kuta 8. William Otondi 9. Patrick Wainaina 10. Eddy Wambugu 11. Raphael Wanga 12. Chacha Masega 13. Mike Wamalwa 14. Victor Odhiambo 15. Faran Juma

Replacements: 16. Mike Oduor 17. Raymond Chacha 18. Brian Makaya 19. Jacktone Omondi 20. James Asanga 21. Vincent Omondi 22. Brian Mwendwa 23. Kennedy Claude

CAFCL: Simba lock horns against defending champions Wydad as Sundowns take on Belouizdad

Uganda’s 23-Man Squad

1. Ariho Edison 2. Rodney Takan 3. Sami Lumala 4. Ethan Mugambi 5. Bright Kinalwa 6. Bajanenseko David 7. David Awan 8. Francis Bogere 9. Stuart Michael 10. Calvin Gizamba 11. Arnold Ocen 12. Hashim Kbogoza 13. Fredrick Mulindwa 14. Robert Sentogo 15. Julius Oyuk

Replacements: 16. Moses Mununuzi 17. Hamidu Simdilan 18. Malcolm Muwoola 19. Edgar Okore 20. Shakul Kigozi 21. Mathew Musasizi 22. Gift Wokorach 23. Thomas Opio

Barthes Trophy quarter-final fixtures

Zimbabwe v Cote d'Ivoire (9am)

Namibia v Zambia (11.30am)

Madagascar v Tunisia (2pm)

Kenya v Uganda (4.30pm)