A 28 strong Kenya U20 training squad has been preparing for their Barthes U20 trophy defence under the tutelage of head coach Curtis Olago.

The side has had a series of training camps in Nairobi and Nakuru over the past month and has also had the opportunity to play two training matches against local club sides KCB and Mwamba, winning both, albeit by close margins, 15-10 against KCB and 12-10 against Mwamba.

Commenting on the team’s preparations ahead of the tournament that runs in Nairobi from June 23- July 3, team manager Peter Mutai said, “The preparations have been going on well. We are pleased to see the team beginning to gel as we draw closer to the tournament. There is still some tuning to do ahead of the competition but so far, so good.”

The former Kenyan international scrumhalf also said that the squad will be whittled down to 25 before the tournament starts.

Kenya’s U20s, affectionately referred to as Chipu (colloquial for or juniors) are the defending champions of this tournament, which serves as the Rugby Africa U20 championship. They won the title with a 21-18 win over Namibia at the KCB Sports Club in Nairobi in April 2019.

They will contend with opposition from former champions Namibia as well as Senegal and Madagascar when this year’s event takes place at the Nyayo National Stadium.

The players in camp are Nicholas Otieno Okullo, Celestine Mboi, Collins Indeche, John Baraka (captain), Wilhite Musisi (vice-captain), Mohammed Khaidar, Tyson Juma Maina, Felix Chacha, Richel Wangila, Reinhard Mwalati Ngaira, Arnold Onzere, Amon Wamalwa, Andrew Wangila, Ibrahim Ayoo and Tony Amoyah.

The rest of the players are Maxwell Atera, Edwin Nyachio, Amos Mokoro, Andrew Matoka (vice-captain), Mathias Osimbo, Anderson Oduor, Aggrey Javan Olando, William Opaka, Shem Oloo Okola, Laban Kipsang, Roy Mulievi, Reagan Juma and Pesian Elvis Kolia.

• A Tell report