Ex-Kenyan international Collins Injera has revealed that during his debut for the Kenya Simbas, they were mercilessly hammered by a South African club to the point that one of his teammates requested the referee to end the match early.
Injera hung his rugby boots on Tuesday, January 24 after a successful 17-year career.
In a recent interview with NTV’s Benard Ndong, the 36-year-old narrated how Dan Weku pleaded with the centre referee to end the game midway to avoid their houses being torched.
Also Read: Collins Injera Now a Farmer and Golfer
“I started out with the 15s, not the 7s. My first call-up was the 15s aside. We went to South Africa. We were playing a team called the Southern Spheres, which was part of the super 12.
“We were hammered I think ninety-something nil and I remembered Dan Weku, who was one of the wingers at that time, went to the referee and told him to please finish the game to prevent our houses from being burnt back at home,” Humphrey Kayange’s younger sibling divulged.
He also touched on his national team's maiden appearance, terming the claims that he made his debut in Dubai as misleading.
“That was my first game. And then when I came back home, I got the call up from the late Benjamin Ayimba to play 7s.
“So actually my first 7s game was in Hong Kong. Contrary to what is going around that I made my debut in Dubai. My first game was against Italy and then I played New Zealand,” commented Shujaa’s all-time topscorer.
Moreover, Injera divulged that seeing Kayange in the newspaper is what influenced him to take rugby seriously.
The Vihiga High School alumni ended by explaining the role that their parents played in their impressive rugby careers.
“My dad is more into books. He is a professor and so, he is always focused. My mum is a farmer. When Humphrey used to play my mum used to ask him why he always came home from High School with a bandage. And when Humprey told him it is rugby, she loved it.
“Fortunately enough, we have never been told to stop or not play this game. They just kept encouraging us.
“They supported us throughout. My dad has always been there. I think since he saw Humphrey on TV, and then I came and went on TV too. I am sure in his close cycles, he used to tell them those are my boys,” stated Injera.