Kenya’s under-20 rugby team, Chipu, rallied from behind to snatch a 28-13 victory from the jaws of defeat, dethroning Zimbabwe’s Junior Sables to capture the prestigious 2024 Barthes Trophy at the Machinery Exchange Stadium in Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
The thrilling encounter unfolded with Zimbabwe taking an early lead, capitalizing on their home advantage.
The host team surged ahead with two tries in the first half, but it was Kenya’s resilience and strategic brilliance that ultimately determined the outcome of the match.
Zimbabwe dominated the opening minutes, showcasing their prowess with a line-out and maul that led to the first try of the game.
Despite a missed conversion, the Junior Sables swiftly doubled their lead to 10-0 with Edward Sigauke’s try off a well-placed kick.
However, Kenya quickly regrouped and mounted a remarkable comeback.
Their first breakthrough came from Iddo Kuta, capitalizing on a dominant scrum to score Chipu’s opening try. James Olela’s successful conversion narrowed the deficit to 10-7, injecting newfound momentum into the Kenyan side.
Kenya’s resurgence continued with a moment of brilliance from Jackson Siketa, who orchestrated a clever play resulting in Michael Wamalwa sprinting down the field for another try. Although the conversion was missed, Kenya surged ahead for the first time in the match, leading 12-10.
Undeterred by Zimbabwe’s physicality, Kenya showcased their skill and composure, with Patrick Wainana extending their lead just before halftime. The Kenyan contingent silenced the home crowd as they headed into the break with a commanding 17-10 advantage.
The second half saw Kenya building on their lead with Olela converting a penalty to extend the gap to 20-10. Despite missed penalty attempts from Olela, Zimbabwe failed to capitalize on their opportunities, and the game took a decisive turn when Sigauke was shown a yellow card.
As tension mounted, Zimbabwe’s Benoni Nhekairo converted a penalty to bring his team within striking distance at 20-13. However, Kenya sealed their victory with a spectacular try by Andy Cole Omollo, leaving Zimbabwe’s hopes dashed.
The final blow came from Philip Okeyo, who confidently slotted a penalty kick to secure Kenya’s triumph with a resounding 28-13 victory.
This triumph holds significant meaning for Chipu, who had suffered defeats to Zimbabwe in the previous Barthes Trophy encounters. Kenya’s journey to reclaim the trophy underscores their resilience and determination, propelling them to the World U20 Trophy in Scotland and marking their third appearance in the prestigious event since 2019.
Kenya’s victory serves as a testament to their growth and potential in the world of rugby, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting future for the rising stars of Chipu.
PHOTO: Fanaka Studious, X
