Experienced stars return as Chipu begin Barthés Cup campaign against Zimbabwe
The Kenya Under-20 national rugby team, Chipu, will begin their quest to reclaim the Rugby Africa U20 Barthés Trophy when they face Zimbabwe in the opening match of the 2026 tournament on Friday, August 7, at Wankulukuku Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.The clash marks the opening semi-final in the newly introduced Performance Division, with the winner advancing to the final to face either defending champions Namibia or Tunisia.##NAJAVA_MECA_9883243##Kenya heads into the tournament determined to reclaim the title after finishing runners-up to Namibia in the 2025 edition in Harare. Chipu won their third Barthés Trophy crown in 2024, ending Zimbabwe’s two-year dominance after lifting the trophy on Zimbabwean soil.Head coach Simon Jawichre has retained several members of last year’s squad, including Jackson Siketi, Michael Olukusi, Rayvon Ambale and Faran Juma, hoping their experience at both club level and the National Sevens Circuit will inspire another title challenge.“They played last year ..