Injera in race to be fit for 2020 Olympic qualifiers

 

Kenya's Collins Injera runs with the ball during a HSBC Paris Sevens Series rugby match between Kenya and Portugal at the Stade Jean Bouin in Paris on May 13, 2016. [Courtesy]

The Kenya national men’s rugby Sevens team, Shujaa, could be without their talisman Collins Injera at next weekend’s Africa Sevens-cum-2020 Olympic qualifiers slated for Johannesburg, South Africa.

Injera, Shujaa’s all-time leading try scorer in the World Sevens Series, sustained an arm injury at the Safari Sevens two weeks ago where he was making his first appearance in national colours since June last year and the Mwamba RFC speedster has not trained since then.

“He is getting treatment but there is plenty of talent here. It will be a big loss if he doesn’t recover on time but that gives someone else an opportunity. Another player will definitely have to step up,” Shujaa coach Paul Feeney told Standard Sports after overseeing a training session at the RFUEA ground yesterday.

Feeney has been boosted by the return of Billy Odhiambo, who is up for selection for the continental event having missed Safari Sevens.

“We have been working on a few things like our line outs and had some video analysis of the Safari Sevens. There is a mixture of youth and experience, which is great for the team. The balance is great and will be helpful for Kenyan rugby in years to come,” the New Zealander said.

Changes have been made to the format of the African Olympic qualifiers with the 14 teams now expected to negotiate knock out matches with winners, alongside one best loser, proceeding to the pool stage.

“We have to be adaptable at whatever they throw at us and strive to win all our matches since our goal is to qualify for the Olympic Games. It will be difficult to get to Tokyo via the Repechage and that’s why we want to qualify directly,” added Feeney, whose team will launch their quest against Ivory Coast.