Brazil-Bound Chipus Bask In The Sunshine Of Historic Namibia Victory

NAIROBI, Kenya- National Under 20 team Chipus will represent Africa in the Junior World Rugby Trophy for the first time in Brazil after basking in the afterglow of a tense 21-18 victory over Namibia on Sunday in the Barthes Trophy Cup at the KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka.

The Paul Odera coached outfit made history when they deposed titleholders Namibia after coming from behind to claim the final of the tournament that is the Rugby Africa Under 20 Championship.

Delron Brandt drilled in two penalties for Namibia in the first 10 minutes for them to take a 6-0 lead. Brian Amaitsa aggression in attack saw him fend off two defenders and head for the in goal area landing Chipu’s first try and narrowing the gap to 6-5 after the conversion sailed wide. 

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Exactly 24 minutes after Amaitsa’s try, fly-half Michele Brighetti sent the ball wide off a break down to land it in Beldad Ogeta’s hands and he dashed for the try box extending Chipu’s lead to 10-6 at the breather.

In the second half, Chipu’s infringement in their five-metre area resulted in Namibia’s Shaun Van Wyk landing their first try and they took the 11-10 lead.  

A repeated offense by Chipu saw them reduced to 11 but they kept their cool and earned themselves a penalty at the opponents 22. Andrew Matoka split the posts beautifully, Chipu taking the 13-1 lead with 20 minutes  left on the clock.

Levelled scores

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Namibia added seven points through Brandt’s try and a conversion in the 67th, Namibia now holding the 18-13 lead over Chipu.

Kenya captain Bonface Ochieng, landed the five-pointer that leveled the scores to 18 a piece off a rolling maul, Dominic Coulson’s conversion sailing wide.

With three minutes left on the clock, full back and man of the match Andrew Matoka drilled in the winning penalty kick 40 metres off Namibia’s try line to give the hosts a slight edge in the dying embers of the contest.

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Namibia’s attempt at scoring a try while deep in Chipu’s half was unsuccessful when Kenya won the turnover before sending the ball to touch to make history and book a ticket to the Junior World Rugby Trophy that will run from July 9 to 21 in Brazil.

It was a first ever victory for the young Kenyan side over Namibia.