Kenya Simbas tactician Paul Odera has included experienced winger Collins Injera in the squad that is set to feature in the highly anticipated 2022 Rugby Afrique Cup final set for Sunday, July 10 in Marseille France.
The 35-year-old missed Wednesday's narrow semi-final win against Algeria due to an abductor strain. Injera’s return is a boost for the Kenyan side who are a game away from qualifying for a Rugby World Cup for the first time in history.
For Kenya to book a slot in the global showpiece slated for 2023 in France, they will have to overpower reigning African champions Namibia who walloped their neighbors Zimbabwe 34-19 in their semi-final clash played on Thursday.
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Speaking ahead of the match, Odera credited Kenya Simbas medical team for the wonderful job.
“Credit to the medical team Steve Maknone and Dr. James ondiege who have done a fantastic job with the players,”
“It has been a case of less is more, yesterday we had an SnC session in the gym and then we had the captain’s run this morning,” Odera told Scrummage.co.ke.
Kenya Simbas’ campaign has also been boasted by the return of the 2019 National Sevens Circuit most valuable player Vincent Onyala.
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Odera rested Onyala in the 42-7 quarterfinal thrashing of their arch-rivals Uganda after the latter picked up an ankle injury.
Other players who are in Kenya Simbas’ line up include Eugene Sifuna, George Nyambua, Ephraim Oduor, Patrick Ouko, John Okoth, Darwin Mukidza, Jacob Ojee and Malcolm Onsando.
The return of Onyala pushes Bryceson Adaka to the bench. Adaka who was influential in their semifinal clash will be joined in the bench by Fijian born fullback Jone Kubu, Davis Chenge, Teddy Akala, Martin Owilah, Edward Mwaura, Brain Tanga and Joseph Odera.
The final will kick off at 2200hrs East African Time. Should Kenya beat Namibia, they will join hosts France, Italy and New Zealand in pool A of the 2023 World Cup.
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