Snip! Snip! Kenya Under 20 Chipus Coach Odera Trims Squad To 35

12th March 2019 - by SPN Correspondent

KRU announces the team will report to camp in Nairobi on March 30 ahead of the 2019 Barthes Cup

Kenya Rugby Under 20 squad, 'Chipus' in action against Namibia in last year's Barthes U20 Trophy. PHOTO/File

SUMMARY

This is ahead of the unveiling to the final list of 25 which will feature in the tournament where winners will represent Africa in the Junior World Rugby Trophy Championships later this year
Team manager, Jimmy Mnene echoed his sentiments offering; "It will be important to have a conversation with each individual player so that they can see where they are and where we can move them forward from here before the tournament.”
Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) announced on Tuesday that the team will report to camp between March 30 and April 1 in Nairobi before the team that will take on Tunisia on April 4 is announced

NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya Under 20 rugby Chipus head coach and former international, Paul Odera, narrowed his squad for the 2019 Barthes Cup to 36 players.

This is ahead of the unveiling to the final list of 25 which will feature in the tournament where winners will represent Africa in the Junior World Rugby Trophy Championships later this year.

Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) announced on Tuesday that the team will report to camp between March 30 and April 1 in Nairobi before the team that will take on Tunisia on April 4 is announced.

Rugby Afrique named Kenya as the hosts of the Pool A matches with the Chipu tie against Tunisia that is scheduled for 4pm local time (+3GMT) being preceded by the meeting of champions Namibia against Senegal.

According to KRU, Odera is upbeat about the prospects of Chipu upsetting the odds and nailing a place at the world event.

“Preparations are going on well. The best thing about this season is that despite starting late, the quality of players is one to admire the momentum is building.

"Through the training sessions, we’ve seen that there are players who are able to deal with the pressure of playing at International rugby level and they’ve also learnt a lot about themselves," Odera stated.

"We have around 10 players returning from last year’s championship which is good experience and a big boost having come close to beating Namibia last year," the Kenya coach added.

Team manager, Jimmy Mnene echoed his sentiments offering; "It will be important to have a conversation with each individual player so that they can see where they are and where we can move them forward from here before the tournament.”

PROVISIONAL SQUAD

Tatu City Nondies – Ian Njenga, Brian Amaitsa, Kenya Harlequins – Steve Biko, Bonface Ochieng, James Mcgreevy, Douglas Kahuri, Northern Suburbs – Wilfred Waswa, USIU Africa – Jeff Kiragu, Kelvin Munene, Blakblad – Collins Obure, Sheldon Kahi, Resolution Impala Saracens – Ian Masheti, Frank Aduda, Menengai Oilers – Edward Mwaura, Ibrahim Ayoo, Beldad Ogeta, Menengai Cream Homeboyz – Emmanuel Silungi, Johnstone Olindi, Kelvin Agwambo, Stanbic Mwamba – Martin Oyugi, Charles Wangwe, Laiser Hill Academy – Samuel Osongo, Alspencer Owade, KCB – Samuel Asati, Stephen Osumba, George Maranga, Geoffrey Okwach, Top Fry Nakuru – Lorence Ishuga, John Okoth, Strathmore Leos – Andrew Matoka, University of Pretoria – Jeff Mutuku, Merchiston Castle School, UK – Ashley Owain, George Kiryazi, Marlborough College, UK – Dominic Coulson, Millfield School, UK – Rotuk Rahedi, Sharks Academy – Andrew Simiyu