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Veteran Kenya Sevens speedster Collins Injera has been included in the travelling squad that will participate in the upcoming World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, South Africa.

The Shujaa all-time top scorer Injera will participate in his fourth World Cup as he seeks to showcase his prowess given his experience in the rugby field.

His last appearance on the rugby field was during the World Cup qualifiers for the fifteens national team and the Currie Cup tournament.

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,” he stated.

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. 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 McGrath were locked out of the travelling party due to disciplinary issues that have since been dealt with.

Commenting on the squad selection, the coach said, “We’ve been affected by several withdrawals, not of our choosing. We’ve lost Alvin Otieno who has left the programme to pursue personal interests…which is a big blow because he is one of the world’s best sevens forwards. We’ve lost Daniel Taabu and Bush 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.”

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.

Tactician McGrath was aware of the physicality and unpredictability of Tonga given it’s the World Cup he was confident his charges will produce a positive record.

“Tonga is one of those that you’d prefer to miss if you could because they are such a physical team. They bring flair, unpredictability as well as that steely defence that they are well known for. It will be a sticky
start, but we are confident we can overcome it,” he said.