Kenya Win Record Fourth U20 Barthes Trophy
Kenya Win Record Fourth U20 Barthes Trophy Kenya are now the most successful team in the history of Africa’s premier youth rugby competition.
Kenya are now the most successful team in the history of Africa’s premier youth rugby competition.
KAMPALA, Uganda – Impressive Kenya have clinched a record fourth Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy after overpowering rivals Namibia 33-14 in the Performance Division final on Tuesday.
Five tries from scrum-half Michael Andale, hooker Jibril Lugonzo, winger Brian Kiptanui, centre Rayvon Avunga and replacement forward Randy Outuma assured Kenya of a fourth Barthes Trophy, one more than Namibia.
“The Namibians came hard at us, but we managed to control the game,” said Kenya captain Justine Ng’ombe. “We didn’t expect that they would be this tough, considering that they didn’t play particularly well against Tunisia in the semi-finals.”
Kenya led 14-0 at half-time, with Andale dummying delightfully through the Namibia defence to score the first try before powerful hooker Lugonzo crashed over for the second following strong carries by lock Thomas Opio.
Namibia replied early in the second half following relentless pressure on the try-line, which resulted in flanker Nzola Nkunku shrugging off a heavy challenge to ground the ball as Kenya tried hard to hold him up.
Namibia winger Ethan Sinden further cut Kenya’s lead with a try of his own, but three second-half tries from Kiptanui, Avunga and Outuma put Chipu firmly in control at Muteesa II Stadium.
The Kenyans have been an irresistible force throughout this tournament, first defeating Zimbabwe 35-21 in the semi-finals on Friday in another polished performance in which their forward pack dominated the contest up front and set the platform for their lively backs to flourish.
It was the case again against Namibia, who, besides relinquishing their crown, have now fallen behind Kenya in terms of Barthes Trophy titles.
Kenya are now the most successful team in the history of Africa’s premier youth rugby competition, which was rebranded in 2016 and named after Jean-Luc Barthes, the late World Rugby Services Manager for Africa. The East Africans were champions in 2019, 2021, 2024 and now 2026.
Performance Division
First Division
Friday 7 August 2026 (EAT)
Tuesday 11 August 2026 (EAT)
Saturday 15 August 2026 (EAT)
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Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 39 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.
