The national rugby 15’s U20 team,Chipu,suffered 32-22 to Namibia during its second match of the ongoing Barthes Cup trophy at the Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare,Zimbabwe.
It Chipu’s first loss after opening the campaign with a 29-21 win against Tunisia on Saturday.
Head coach Simon Jawichre brought in Waiyaki Kinyua and Terence Ogutu,the only two changes made from the squad that beat Tunisia.
After an evenly balanced first half that saw Namibia lead by only three points,the tide turned for Kenya in the second half where Namibia exploded 32-22.
Namibia scored the penalty through Scot Kalkun to take the 3-0 lead that lasted until the breather. On resumption Kenya responded after Daniel Kipchirchir touched down to score a converted try that gave Kenya a 7-3 lead.
The Kenyan backline intercepted Namibia’s pass with Mike Muriithi racing down the left before turning inside to find Kipchirchir.
John Peter Campbell went over the line to regain Namibia’s lead.Kipchir broke free again on the left to hand Kenya 12-8 lead.Namibia answered with another try to take a 15-12 lead and pulled away from Jakes Vercuill’s converted try to establish clear lead against Kenya.
However Kipchirchir went over the line to reduce the score 17-22.Mauling from the line Naimbia got a try from the driving maul to go 12 points clear and wrapped the win with a late try.
Brian Kiptanui scored Kenya’s late try to narrow the deficit 32-22 ,not enough to rescue Chipu.The win maintains Namibia’s perfect start after opening with a 42-22 win against hosts Zimbabwe.
In another encounter Zimbabwe emphatically beat Tunisia 78-15.
The round robbin action ends on Sunday 27th April where defending champions Kenya will take on Zimbabwe while Namibia will play Tunisia.A win for Namibia will hand them the 2025 trophy.
Kenya U20 RUGBY TEAM AGAINST NAMIBIA….
Darrel Roy Oluoch, 2. Emmanuel Adoyo, 3. Mike Muriithi, 4. Leon Onduso, 5. Eddy Otieno, 6. Josphat Njuve, 7. John Asega, 8. Justine Lunale, 9. Roymark Maruti, 10. Faran Juma, 11. Brian Kiptanui, 12. Daniel Kipchirchir, 13. Brian Omondi, 14. Javan Odhiambo, 15. Dennis Ndayala. Reserves: 16. Erick Juma, 17. Tony Rebel, 18. Almasi Wachira, 19. Elias Owino, 20. Simon Buluku, 21. Waiyaki Kinyua, 22. Branton Lusisa, 23. Terrence Ogutu