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The 2022 finalists are counting on their good preparations ahead of Wednesday’s last four meeting with the hosts
Namibia believe they have properly analysed Kenya and acclimatised to the weather in Nairobi ahead of their Rugby Africa U20 Bathers Trophy semi-final meeting at Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday.
Kenya will take on familiar foes Namibia seeking to avenge last year’s loss with eyes on the title they last won in 2021. However, last year’s beaten finalists Namibia say they have done their due diligence and are ready to strike yet again.
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19:00 - 22.04.2023
RUGBY Chipu's Barthes Cup hunt off to flyer after win over Uganda
Just as in the 2022 edition Kenya put Uganda to the sword in the tournament opener.
“We have been having some video sessions trying to look at what we did wrong and looking at what we can improve on our game,” Namibia captain Joe Corne Losper told KRU Media.
“(On facing Kenya) It is an interesting match, we have tried a different approach this time, analysing some of their games as well as working on ours and how we are going to adapt.”
Namibia coach Ryan Clinton Alexander believes they are now more flexible to weather conditions in Nairobi. “We have been working on the weather, the game against Zambia was a very difficult game. I think any team would have struggled just to put plays together but we have worked on what we can do in both dry and wet weather conditions,” said Alexander.
Chipu, as Kenya are popularly known, beat neighbours Uganda 44-20 on Saturday to book a place in Wednesday’s semi-final while Namibia, who edged them 16-5 at the same stage last year, overcame Zambia 20-12.
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08:10 - 23.04.2023
BARTHES TROPHY Chipu to intensify preparations ahead of semifinal face off against Namibia
During last year's semifinal, Namibia stunned Kenya with a 16-5 win.
Kenya, however, look more prepared this time round given their display so far after polishing up some of the things that cost them the win last year such as lineouts which proved problematic in the past.
Curtis Olago has only four players from the Class of 2022 with the rest being relative novices but there is a lot at stake given the Barthes Trophy is the Africa U20 championship and also serves as the qualification tournament for the World Rugby U20 Trophy which this year will be played in Nairobi from 15-30 July.
A place in the global tournament on home soil will, therefore, act as extra motivation for Chipu who will take on either holders Zimbabwe or Tunisia in the final should they clinch the ticket.
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