Africa-Press – Kenya. The Kenya Rugby Union will conduct the national U-20 trials at the RFUEA grounds on Saturday.
This is in preparation for the Barthes Cup slated for Harare, Zimbabwe, on April 20-28.
Among the requirements for registration are an original birth certificate, a valid Passport, a yellow fever certificate and two passport-size photos.
The players’ birthdays must be between December 31, 2003 and July 2, 2007.
Moses Mukabane, the KRU Director of 15s rugby, said once selected, the players will embark on three intensive training camps in March.
“After the trials, we will have three training camps to get the players aligned to the philosophy of the team. We hope to select a formidable team that can go to Zimbabwe and win the competition,” said Mukabane.
Despite the late start, the former international is confident the players selected will be in good shape by the time the competition starts.
“I believe there is enough time to craft a winning squad that will be mentally and physically prepared for the rigours of the championship. We are not going there as participants but as title contenders,” said Mukabane.
Plans are underway to have the team play university and a few Kenya Cup teams in build-up matches.
“We are looking at playing Catholic Monks, USIU or Kabras II to give the players exposure in competitive situations,” said Mukabane.
Kenya hosted four editions of the championship — winning two after beating Namibia 21-18 and Madagascar 21-20 in 2019 and 2021 respectively.
In the 2022 edition, Chipu finished third after beating Madagascar 49-15 in the bronze medal match. They had lost to 16-5 Namibia in the semifinals.
In 2023, Kenya lost 28-7 to Zimbabwe in the final at Nyayo Stadium.
Catholic Monks head coach Simon Jawichre will handle the team, assisted by Kenny Andola. Jawichre replaces Simbas assistant coach Curtis Olago, who was in charge for three years.
Elsewhere, Catholic Monks will face Nondies in the only Kenya Cup match slated for Saturday.
The match was earlier scheduled for January 13 but was postponed to due an unplayable Catholic University pitch.
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