Rugby legend Injera delights at ending Simba's three-year absence

Kenya’s all-time top try scorer Collins Injera has revealed his pleasure after making a comeback to the Kenya Simbas setup after almost three years since his last appearance in the men’s national 15s side.

Known for his wizardry on the shorter version of the game, the Shujaa 7s ace ended his three-year absence last weekend when he featured in the team’s final 2022 Currie Cup Division One game against Eastern Province Elephants at the RFUEA Grounds.

In the match where the Paul Odera coached side stunningly came from trailing 0-17 after twenty minutes and 13-24 at halftime to winning 41-24 at the full-time whistle, Injera rolled back the years as he proved his doubters wrong and fitted in like a glove to the side, capping his comeback appearance in the team with a well worked try.

Following the game, injera was delighted to once again feature for the team as he disclosed that he always felt at home going back as it was the place where he started playing before switching to Shujaa where he made a name for himself.

“It feels nice coming back to the team. This is where I started playing rugby before I joined the 7s side so it always feels like home coming back. Of course, the systems are different but rugby is just rugby at the end of the day. I managed to learn well when I came in,” the player remarked.

Injera, who did not travel down with the team down to South Africa where the Simbas stayed for two months in preparations for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, was also grateful for the opportunity as he lauded the current players in the setup, urging them to take a game at a time as the team turns its focus to the Rugby Africa Cup 2022, set to be held in France from 1-10 July, which will act as the African qualifying tournament.

“I have been training with them but I just did not get a chance to go down to South Africa for the Currie Cup but I am glad to be given the opportunity to play here at home. Right now, we have a good blend of young and experienced guys as well so it is about enjoying and taking one game at a time,” he added.

Simbas only need three more wins in France to make history by qualifying to the 2023 showpiece event.

In the eight 2023 RWC qualifier, Simbas will take on rivals Uganda in quarter final 4 as both sides seek to make their very first appearance in the showpiece tournament.

‘We can dare dream’ – states Odera ahead of Simbas World Cup qualifiers

The other teams that will join the neighbouring East African nations in the quarter finals are Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Algeria, Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso.

The loser of the Rugby Africa Cup final will still have another chance to qualify for France 2023 via the Final Qualification Tournament in November 2022.

Quarter Final Fixtures

QF 1: Namibia vs Burkina Faso

QF 2: Zimbabwe vs Cote d’Ivoire

QF 3: Senegal vs Algeria

QF 4: Uganda vs Kenya