BY ERICK OCHIENG
Nairobi, Kenya; Mwamba RFC star recalled to the Kenya Sevens team as squad is named for world series
Ace winger Collins Injera has made an official return to the Kenya Sevens team that is preparing for the ninth and tenth legs of the HSBC world series in Glascow and London next month.
At the same time, head coach Mike Friday announced a strong squad of 12 players, to be captained by KCB prolific player Phillip Wamae that will ply trade for Kenya at the forthcoming Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) to be hosted in Mombasa on April 27-28.
“We have no problem with Injera, we have finally resolved his issue, he is now back on full basis,” said Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) chairman Mwangi Muthee.
Friday said he felt heart broken when Injera missed the Kenya squad for Tokyo and Japan legs last month because of a dispute that rose between him with KRU and his club Mwamba.
“It is unfortunate that an impressive player like Injera was caught in the sideshows but the most important thing is that he realised and made the decision to change the situation. His inclusion in the squad will definitely add value to us,” Friday told FeverPitch.
Injera will also play an assistant role in the team where he will aid captain Andrew Amonde in leading squad in the Glascow leg slated for May 4-5 and London, May 11-12.
Another player who has earned his first call up in the world series for the first time since Friday took over the Kenya team is Felix Ayange.
Ayange has completed a remarkable return to form after sustaining an achilles tendon injury during the Safari Sevens last year.
Those remarkably dropped in the series are Sydney Ashioya and Dennis Ombachi. Ashioya has been left out due to job commitment but Friday has assured he has plans for him in the World Championships in Moscow later in the year.
Team Captain Andrew Amonde, sharing his sentiments on the task at hand, said, “We have confidence in our ability and will approach each match as it comes as we look to post positive results.”
Kenya is in Pool A for the Glasgow Sevens alongside Samoa, South Africa and Canada. Wamae is a regular squad member on the Kenya Sevens team who has played all rounds of the current HSBC Sevens Word Series.
Squad to Glasgow and London
Andrew Amonde (KCB, Captain), Oscar Ouma (Menengai Oil Nakuru), Davis Chenge (Western Bulls), Patrice Agunda (Lunch Bar Quins), Felix Ayange (Quins), Horace Otieno (Mwamba), Eden Agero (Lunch Bar Quins), Michael Wanjala (Strathmore Leos), Biko Adema (Total Nondies), William Ambaka (Lunch Bar Quins), Collins Injera (Mwamba RFC), Billy Odhiambo (Strathmore Leos).
Management: Mike Friday (Head Coach), Felix Ochieng (Assistant Coach), Chris Brown (Strength and Conditioning Coach), George Odhiambo (Physiotherapist), Stevun Sewe (Team Manager).
Squad to the Africa Cup Sevens:
Philip Wamae (Captain), Eden Agero (Vice Captain), Davis Chenge, Humphrey Kayange, Patrice Agunda, Daniel Sikuta, Robert Aringo, Felix Ayange, Fabian Olando, Billy Odhiambo, Oscar Ayodi, Samuel Oliech.
