Collins Injera on whether he would coach Kenya Sevens in future
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Reading Time: 4min | Thu. 11.06.26. | 12:20
His final appearance for Kenya came at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, bringing the curtain down on a career that left an indelible mark on the sport
Rugby legend Collins Injera has revealed that he would be open to coaching Kenya Sevens in the future. Injera explained that he feels a responsibility to pass on the knowledge and experience he accumulated during one of the most decorated careers in the sport's history.
Download our Mozzart Sport app for more news
The former Shujaa star admitted that immediately after retiring, he wanted nothing to do with rugby as he struggled to adjust to life away from the game.
"I wanted nothing to do with rugby. I did not even attend training sessions, not even for my club. It was a difficult period because I was adjusting to a new way of life. At the time, I completely distanced myself from the sport," Injera said in an interview with Jeff Koinange on Citizen TV.
However, time away from the game helped him rediscover his passion.
After spending about a year away, he gradually returned through the Legends by Nondies setup before becoming involved with Mwamba RFC, where he now attends training sessions and assists with coaching.
"These days, I am back training with Mwamba and doing a bit of coaching here and there. While I am also pursuing other interests, I would really like to share the knowledge and experience I have accumulated over the years," he added.
Injera believes it would be unfair to walk away from rugby without giving back to a sport that shaped his life and career.
"It would be quite selfish of me to walk away with all that knowledge and insight. The game has certainly evolved, but I believe I still have something valuable to offer. Having played rugby from 2001 to 2023, I am sure some lessons and experiences can help the next generation,” he continued.
Asked whether he would answer a call-up to the Kenya Sevens technical bench, Injera left little doubt.
"If Shujaa were to call me, I would definitely answer. Giving back to the sport is something I set out to do this year,” he said.
His ambitions extend beyond the national team. Injera also hopes to mentor young players at his former school, Vihiga Boys High School, which has emerged as one of the country's leading rugby nurseries.
"I have told myself that this is the year I must give back to the game that has given me so much. It is only fair that I do my part and help create opportunities for others to dream, just as rugby once did for me,” he averred.
Few players are better placed to nurture the next generation than Injera.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest sevens players of all time, he made his international fifteens debut for Kenya against Uganda in August 2006 before going on to represent the Simbas in various competitions, including the Rugby Africa Cup campaign in 2022.
His sevens journey began in Hong Kong in March 2007 and would span an extraordinary 15 years. During that period, he made 424 appearances on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, scoring 279 tries and amassing 1,443 points. His try tally ranks second in Series history behind only England and Great Britain's Dan Norton.
Injera featured in 83 World Series tournaments, more than any other Kenyan player, and became renowned for producing memorable moments on and off the pitch. One of the most iconic came at Twickenham in 2015 when, after scoring his 200th Series try, he pulled a marker pen from his sock and signed both the match ball and a television camera.
His influence stretched beyond individual records. He played at two Olympic Games and four Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments, helping Kenya reach the semi-finals of the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai after scoring five tries during the campaign.
That same year, he and his elder brother Humphrey Kayange were nominated for the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award.
Another career highlight came in Singapore in 2016 when Injera and Kayange each crossed the whitewash in Kenya's historic 30-7 victory over Fiji in the Cup final, securing the country's only World Series title to date.
His final appearance for Kenya came at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, bringing the curtain down on a career that left an indelible mark on the sport.
Among his many achievements, Injera became the all-time leading try scorer on the World Series circuit in 2016, was inducted into the Rugby Town Walk of Fame, became Kenya Sevens' all-time leading points scorer, made five successive Rugby World Cup Sevens appearances, and received the Order of the Golden Warrior (OGW) alongside Kayange in recognition of their contribution to Kenyan sport.