Barthes Trophy final rescheduled
RUGBY Africa have brought forward the kick-off times for the Barthes Trophy final in which hosts Zimbabwe Under-20 face Kenya Under-20 at Harare Sports Club’s Machinery Exchange stadium for the continental title.
The final had initially been scheduled for 4pm on Sunday with the third-place play-off pitting Tunisia and Namibia being pencilled in for 2pm.
Rugby Africa have, however, shifted the third-place tie to noon with the final starting at 3pm. Both Zimbabwe and Kenya remain the only unbeaten sides going into the final.
The hosts are eyeing a third success triumph, having won the last two editions in Kenya.
“Rugby Africa have decided to reschedule Matchday 3 of the 2024 Rugby Africa Under-20 Barthes Trophy citing delays caused by injuries in the first match of Matchday 2 between Kenya and Tunisia, which led to a late finish in the last match between Zimbabwe and Namibia,” read a brief statement from the Local Organising Committee.
“The lighting at Harare Sports Club was deemed to be insufficient and could compromise player safety and welfare.
“Matchday 3 will now see Namibia and Tunisia playing at noon, followed by Zimbabwe and Kenya at 3pm.
“All inconveniences caused are sincerely regretted.”
Junior Sables coach Shaun De Souza welcomed the time changes and revealed that they had also raised reservations about the kick-off times.
“I think the time change is good. “Our last match sort of went into darkness on the first day, and we felt that the time movement was indeed necessary,” said De Souza.
“We did ask for a time change in the managers’ meeting after the first game and we are happy that our pleas were heard.
“It (time change) will help us with the light issue and make the game more exciting for us and the fans.
“The hope is that, maybe, the temperatures will also be good and adventurous to us,” he said.
De Souza gave his troops a day off yesterday, to allow for some recharging after their bruising encounter against Namibia on Wednesday from which they emerged 35-23 winners.
Kenya have also been worthy of their place in the final. They were less than convincing against Namibia in their opening game which they won 34-28 but found their groove when making light work of Tunisia in a more clinical 56-17 victory.
It is against the background of their two wins each that Zimbabwe and Kenya are now in for a potentially mouthwatering showdown for the right to be crowned African champions.
The winners of Sunday’s final also advance to the Junior World Trophy in Scotland in July as Africa’s representatives.
De Souza will also be hoping that some of his players who are facing some injury concerns would have fully recovered to take their places in the decisive encounter.