Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s Dr. Ochieng Lukes Ahaya led the Kenya Rugby U20 to win the highly coveted Africa U20 Barthes Trophy in Zimbabwe. Dr. Ahaya was the head of team Kenya delegation where Kenya won the Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy after a 28-13 victory over Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday 28 April 2024.
It was the Kenya’s third straight win in the competition and they qualified for the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024, which will be held in Scotland from 2-17 July 2024, as champions of Africa. They will face tournament debutants the Netherlands and 2023 runners-up Uruguay in Pool B with the final place to be taken by the winner of the USA-Canada play-off.
The line-up for Pool A was decided at the beginning of March when Samoa claimed the Oceania ticket to join Scotland, Japan – the side relegated from the World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 – and the Asian qualifier Hong Kong China. Both Kenya and the Junior Sables were unbeaten going into the final round of matches following earlier wins over Tunisia and Namibia.
Kenya Rugby U20 players celebrate after winning the highly coveted Africa U20 Barthes Trophy in Zimbabwe
Tournament hosts Zimbabwe started the best as they attempted to win their third straight African U20 title, racing into a 10-0 lead after unconverted tries from Tawana Nyashabwane and Edward Sigauke.
But tries from Iddo Kuta, Michael Wamalwa – with his fourth of the tournament – and Patrick Wainaina with a conversion from James Olela put the Chipu into a 17-10 lead at the break. Penalties were then traded before captain Andy Cole Omolo barged over to make the score 25-13 to the Chipu. Phil Okeyo put the result into doubt when he kicked a penalty five minutes from time as the Chipu reclaimed the trophy they last won in 2021.
We congratulate Dr. Ahaya for the exemplary service to our nation, in aiding the young chaps lift our flag even higher!
