dyton mupawaenda
Tinashe Kusema –Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE rivalry runs deep. Their ambition burns brighter. And once again, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Namibia are set to collide in what has become African junior rugby’s fiercest three-way fight.
The 2025 Barthes Trophy roars into life today at Old Hararians Sports Club, where the latest chapter in this compelling rugby saga is about to be written.
The fates of Zimbabwe, Kenya and Namibia look like they are going to be intertwined forever on the rugby pitch.
Since the inception of the Barthes Trophy back in 2017, the three nations have shared the tournament with Namibia and Zimbabwe winning the competition twice, while Kenya have three wins.
The three nations dominated again before the name change and it was still the Division A tournament between 2006 and 2016.
Namibia had seven wins as compared to Zimbabwe’s two.
During that era, Kenya’s best was two runners-up finishes in 2013 and 2014.
The three nations will now be seeking to add on to their records when the 2025 Barthes Trophy kicks off today at Old Hararians Sports Club.
Two mouth-watering clashes are lined up for today’s festivities as Kenya meet Tunisia, while Zimbabwe play regional rivals Namibia.
For Zimbabwe Junior Sables skipper Emmanuel Gabi, the task is simple – win at all costs.
“Our expectation is to win, and win it all,” said Gabi.
“We are going to compete at every level, whether it be with the backs or the forwards, we have to make sure that we redeem ourselves and get that trophy back,” he said.
Much of the talk in the build-up to the tournament has been around Zimbabwe seeking to avenge last year’s defeat to Kenya in the final of the same competition.
The Junior Sables went into the tournament as clear favourites and were seeking to make it three tournament wins on the trot after the 2022 and 2023 titles in Kenya.
However, the East Africans had other ideas and beat Zimbabwe 28-13, avenging their own back-to-back losses on home soil during the previous two editions of the competition.
Gabi didn’t mince his words over that result as he acknowledged the threats that both today’s opponents, Namibia, and Kenya pose.
He, however, backed his boys to walk out the park in both matches and get the job done.
“I feel like we have forgotten about it (Kenya game) and moved on from that game,” he said.
“This year, I feel like we are in a better place, both mentally and physically, and we just want to dominate the competition.
“Namibia versus Zimbabwe is a big rivalry and it’s going to be an intense game.
“However, I am backing my boys to go all the way against both Namibia (today) and Kenya later.
“We just have to keep our heads down and do the work,” he said.
Online Reporter