Injera returns to the Shujaa team ahead of the Sevens World Cup

Kenya Sevens head coach Damian McGrath has recalled the team’s all-time top try scorer Collins Injera to the squad ahead of the Rugby Sevens World Cup.

McGrath drafted the experienced forward’s name in the 12-man squad that is set to participate in the showdown for the sixth successive time in South Africa between September 9-11.

Injera who made his World Cup debut in 2009 will be making his fourth appearance in the showpiece while the duo of Willy Ambaka and Billy Odhiambo will be taking part for the third time.

Skipper Nelson Oyoo, Herman Humwa, Samuel Oliech and Jeff Oluoch will each be making second appearance in the tournament.

The tactician said Injera’s return comes at a time when the team had lost key players on various grounds and his experience at the top level will certainly come in handy in the tournament.

“Collins brings a raft of experience. He’s lived it and done it, there’s not many players on the sevens circuit who’ve done and achieved what Collins has, his influence in training is very good. He’s very good with the younger guys and understands how sevens should be played. With the withdrawals that we’ve had, we felt it was good to bring someone like Collins in to bring that experience to the team,” he said

McGrath while naming the squad said Daniel Taabu and Bush Mwale were axed on disciplinary grounds while fan-favourite Alvin Otieno was left out to pursue personal interest with reports indicating the player is chasing a lucrative deal abroad.

He said the unavailability of the three players was a big blow but expressed confidence that the selected players will get the job done.

“We’ve been by a number of withdrawals, not of our choosing. We’ve lost Otieno who has left the program to pursue personal interests…which is a big blow because he is one of the world’s best sevens forwards. We’ve lost Taabu and Mwale for internal disciplinary matters which have been dealt with but necessitated them being left out of this particular squad. It’s a blow to the team but we are confident with the squad we have selected,” he added.

Shujaa who debuted in the tournament in 2001 will play the opener against Tonga.

Squad

Nelson Oyoo (captain), Collins Injera, Billy Odhiambo, William Ambaka, Samuel Oliech, Herman Humwa,Jeff Oluoch, Johnstone Olindi, Tony Omondi, Vincent Onyala, ,Kevin Wekesa, Edmund Anya