Chipu coach Odera confident of Barthes Cup chances

Kenya under-20 rugby team head coach Paul Odera is optimistic that his charges will lift the 2019 Barthes Cup.

The under-20 team, popularly known as ‘Chipu’ has been in camp since January 20 and will face off with Tunisia on Thursday from 3.30 pm at the KCB Sports Club Ruaraka, in an Africa U-20 Championship qualifier.

Should Chipu win this match they’ll earn the ticket to the 2019 Junior World Rugby Trophy to be held in July in Brazil.

Odera’s squad will aim at improving last year’s performance where they were finalists, losing 37-18 to Namibia in Windhoek.

Odera named his 25-man squad Tuesday at the RFUEA ground which will be captained by Kenya Harlequin’s Bonface Ochieng.

Also in the squad are Kenya Cup regulars Nondescripts prop Ian Njenga, James McGreevy of Quins, Menengai’s Beldad Ogeta.

“The best thing about this team is that we are having players who’ve represented Kenya in the IPS Under 13 team.”

“This group of guys, I have a very special feeling about them, which is what we’ve been saying as the coaching team. They have come together very quickly as a team, much quicker than we’ve had in the previous four years that we’ve been together as a management,”he concluded.

Defending champions Namibia will take on Senegal in the first match of the competition on Thursday at 1.30 pm at the KCB Ruaraka ground.

The winner will qualify for the 2019 Junior World Rugby Trophy to be held in Brazil.

Chipu Squad on Barthes Cup Duty:

Ian Njenga(Nondies), Bonface Ochieng-©(Kenya Harlequins), Rotuk Rahedi(Millfield College), Emmanuel Silungi(Menengai Cream Homeboyz), Hibrahim Ayoo(Menengai Oilers), James Mcgreevy(Kenya Harlequins), Brian Amaitsa(Nondies), Darren Kahi(Blakblad), Samuel Asati – VC(KCB), Dominic Coulson(Unattached) Beldad Ogeta(Menengai Oilers), Owain Ashley(Merchiston Castle), George Maranga(KCB), Geoffrey Okwach(KCB), Jeff Mutuku(Kenya Harlequins), Wilfred Waswa(Northern Suburbs), Collins Obure(Blakblad), Ian Masheti(Resolution Impala Saracens), Frank Aduda(Resolution Impala Saracens), George Kiryazi(Merchiston Castle), Samuel Were(LaiserHill Academy), Barry Young(Kabras Sugar), Douglas Kahuri(Kenya Harlequins), Michele Brighetti(Sedburgh School), Andrew Matoka(Strathmore University)