Barthes Trophy: Holders Kenya fall to Namibia in semis
Kenya's Chipu players react after their loss to Namibia in the semi-final of the Barthes Trophy on April 13, 2022 at Nyayo National Stadium.
What you need to know:
- A later try by substitute Joseph Ayiro was not enough to rescue Kenya, who wasted four penalties and a conversion, as winger Niel Holtzhausen's converted try and two penalties put Namibia in their final.
- Man-of-the-match, scrum-half Oela Blaauw did the kicking for Namibia,
The Rugby Africa Under-20 Championships, Barthes Trophy will have new champions after holders Kenya’s Chipu were bundled out in the semi-finals Wednesday.
Despite dominating virtually the whole of the explosive duel, Chipu lost to the 2018 champions Namibia 16-5 in the semi-final at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Namibia will now face Zimbabwe, who beat Madagascar 32-3 in the other semi, in the final on Sunday, as Kenya and Madagascar battle for bronze.
A later try by substitute Joseph Ayiro was not enough to rescue Kenya, who wasted four penalties and a conversion, as winger Niel Holtzhausen's converted try and two penalties put Namibia in their final.
Kenya's Chipu players react after their loss to Namibia in the semi-final of the Barthes Trophy on April 13, 2022 at Nyayo National Stadium.
Man-of-the-match, scrum-half Oela Blaauw did the kicking for Namibia, who will either meet Zimbabwe or Madagascar, who meet in the other semi-final on Wednesday.
Chipu had good territorial kicking in the first half to pin Namibia in their own half, but wasted three opportunities from line-outs in the opponents’ 22m area.
Fullback Tonny Oketch missed the opportunity to level for Kenya when an easy-looking penalty fell short.
Chipu still piled pressure on Namibia, who put up a solid defence, before turning on the heat and got a penalty that Blaauw stabbed through to stretch their lead to 6-0 at the break.
Then Holtzhausen made a decisive intercept before galloping through to score as Blaauw converted to stretch their lead to 13-0.
Kenya Chipu's winger Roy Mulievi (left) leaves Namibia's Owen Hawanga during their Barthes Trophy semi-final clash at Nyayo National Stadium on April 13, 2022.
Chipu’s fly-half would miss a penalty just in front of the post and Blaauw cashed on the mistake slot over a penalty on the other end and put the score at 16-0.
It was then that Ayiro went for the touchdown, but all was in vain for the 2019 and 2021 champions.
Chipu’s coach Curtis Olago said his charges played to their ability based on the little time they had in preparations.
“If you want to play Namibia well you have to prepare well and match them in every tactical facet of play and that comes with preparations,” Olago said.
"Prepared with what we had in a short time, but that isn't the main reason we lost today…Namibia was just a good side."
Olago thanked his charges for putting their bodies on the line and giving a good account of themselves.
“A couple of errors in key areas cost us, but we shall work on them as we go on. It all depends on preparations. We shall do what we can to improve our rugby,” explained Olago.
Chrysander Botha said that they approached the game as a final with Namibian and Kenya being the best teams on the continent after South Africa.
“This is the best game they played in a while and it was all about being tactically good,” said Botha, adding that they out-structured Kenya, which made the difference.
“We played in the right area of the field and took available points.”
Botha said his side was technically good with a massive defensive efforts from the players.
“Kenya threw everything into attack but we made tackle after tackle and got up. They showed a lot of heart and that is why we are coming from the land of the brave.”
