Namibia clinch Barthes Cup as Kenya emerge runners-up
Winners Namibia who finished their campaign unbeaten and on a high following their 81-7 drubbing of Tunisia, had overall a remarkable tournament built on mindset and dominance
Kenya Chipu’s 2024 good run at the Rugby Africa Barthes Cup was stopped by this year’s eventual champions Namibia who put up a stellar performance in the four team competition held at the Old Hararians Stadium in Zimbabwe.
Chipu wrapped up their mission down South with an epic 21-20 win over hosts Zimbabwe in a pulsating encounter. This was a good result for Simon Jawichre’s side after their midweek 32-22 loss to Namibia thus moving the East Africans to second place barely a year after clinching the last title.
Winners Namibia who finished their campaign unbeaten and on a high following their 81-7 drubbing of Tunisia, had overall a remarkable tournament built on mindset and dominance. The Kalahari boys match Kenya as the only other team having won the Barthes Cup thrice.
The Welwitchias had endured a heavy drought going six years without clinching the U20 title. Namibia opened their account against traditional foes Zimbabwe with a 41-22 drubbing of their neighbors. Afterwards, they faced off with the 2024 winners Kenya emerging victors with a 32-22 result before trouncing North Africans Tunisia in arguably a one sided contest; thus emerging champions.
The Zimbabwe versus Kenya contest was brute and tactical in equal measure with both sides giving as much as they received. Chipu’s Javan Odhiambo made a good start with a try and a penalty to take Kenya to 8-0. Zimbabwe cut the deficit later on against 13 man Kenya with a try and conversion to take the score to 8-7.Kenya had lost two players to the sin-bin in that half due to technical fouls.
However the impressive Odhiambo once again got on the scoring board with another penalty to take Jawichre’s charges 11-7 at the hallway break. Zimbabwe came to the party in the early moments of the second stanza of the match as they went ahead to score two tries plus a conversion taking the lead 20-11. The Junior Sables advantage on their numerical strength, their kickers piled pressure at the back of Chipu thus finding spaces to explore.
Chipu then mounted a late brilliant comeback fit for the books. Daniel Kipchirchir went over for a try, which was converted to make it 20-18. Then, with three minutes left, a penalty gifted Kenya the chance to edge ahead 21-20.Despite intense pressure from the hosts, Chipu’s defense held firm and steady to seal back-to-back Barthes Cup wins over Zimbabwe U20 albeit with disappointment of failing to bring the overall title home.
