Kenya all-time top try scorer Collins Injera exudes confidence ahead of today’s rugby World cup opener against Tonga in Cape Town, South Africa.
Injera who will be expected to team up with the experienced duo of Billy Odhiambo and Willy Ambaka to try and secure a podium finish will be making his fourth appearance today while donning the Shujaa jersey.
“As I make my 4th world cup appearance today, I just want to thank God for the opportunities and blessings he has given me. May the lord keep leading the way,” Injera said.
The last time Injera donned the national team jersey was during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with his last series outing being LA and Vancouver 7s in 2020.
“Feels nice to be back in the sevens fold, it’s been a while since I was here I had gone to the 15s team. Getting a chance to play in the World Cup is huge. Everyone would want to represent his nation at the World Cup I’m just grateful to be here. We love big competitions, and I am happy to be selected,” Injera said.
The speedy Injera, who is the all-time top scorer in the country and the second all-time top scorer in the HSBC World Sevens Series, hopes to inspire Kenya 7s in Cape Town with the first game set to be against Tonga, a non-core side at the World Sevens Series.
“It’s a knock-out tournament; you lose one game you are out. We’ll take it a game at a time. Our energy is on Tonga that’s our first game, so our focus should be there,” Injera added.
The Mwamba RFC winger who had hinted he would retire earlier this year was included in the travelling squad after an impressive performance in the just concluded Currie cup tournament staged at the RFUEA grounds the cathedral of local rugby.
Head coach Damian McGrath said the inclusion of Injera in the team brings in the blend that is needed given his experience and exposure in the rugby field.
“Collins brings a raft of experience. He’s lived it and done it, there are 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.”
Injera will be joined by the ever-present Willy Ambaka and Billy Odhiambo who will be making their third appearance in the global bonanza.
Nelson Oyoo, Samuel Oliech, Jeff Oluoch and Herman Humwa return for the second time.
Youngsters Johnstone Olindi, Vincent Onyala, Kevin Wekesa, Tony Omondi and Edmund Anya are named for their first appearance at the quadrennial event.
However, the team will miss the services of the fast-rising Alvin “Buffa” Otieno who was left out due to personal commitments.
Mwamba RFC flyhalf Daniel Taabu and Homeboyz RFC Bush Mwale will also not participate in the much-awaited global event.
The duo according to head coach Damian McGrath were locked out of the travelling party due to disciplinary issues that have since been dealt with.
Shujaa will be appearing at their sixth consecutive Rugby world cup (WC 7s) since debuting in 2001 and will play Tonga in their opening fixture in Cape Town.
Shujaa RWC7s 2022 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
