KENYA MAKE HISTORY WITH RECORD FOURTH BARTHES TROPHY AND BOOK WORLD RUGBY JUNIOR TROPHY PLACE

Aug 11, 2026 2:18 PM

Kenya have written another golden chapter in African youth rugby history, defeating defending champions Namibia 33-14 in Kampala to capture a record fourth Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy and secure qualification for the World Rugby Junior Trophy. Chipu delivered another commanding performance at Muteesa II Stadium, scoring five tries through scrum-half Michael Andale, hooker Jibril Lugonzo, winger Brian Kiptanui, centre Rayvon Avunga and replacement forward Randy Outuma. Kenya established a 14-0 halftime advantage after Andale sliced through the Namibian defence with an excellent dummy before Lugonzo powered over following strong work from the Kenyan forwards. Namibia responded after the interval through Nzola Nkunku and Ethan Sinden, briefly threatening a comeback, but Kenya maintained their composure and pulled clear with three further second-half tries to complete a convincing championship victory. “The Namibians came hard at us, but we managed to control the game,” captain Justine Ng’ombe said, reflecting on a final in which Kenya successfully absorbed Namibia’s pressure before imposing their own attacking quality. 

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