Collins Injera was ‘not fully fit’ to travel- Simiyu

National rugby sevens team Shujaa head coach Innocent ‘Namcos’  Simiyu claimed vice-Captain and record try scorer, Collins Injera and Sammy Oliech were not fully fit to travel with the rest of the team on Monday ahead of their opening HSBC World Sevens tour of Dubai and South Africa.

Speaking to Citizen Digital at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi before the team’s departure, Simiyu admitted that Injera is a top player and shall be missed by his side but backed the youthful travelling squad to give their best in the competition

“Every player who is travelling with us passed through fitness and we were not fortunate to access all players because of the strike.

“We did not have the opportunity to reach Collins physically to access him because of the player’s strike last week but he has also been struggling with his form recently despite working hard at club level (with Mwamba RFC).

“Sammy Oliech is struggling with hamstring injury but probably I will have him in the squad by next week,” Simiyu said.

He was alluding to the player-protest over allowances that crippled training when they boycotted training over a Ksh20m bonus dispute with the Union.

Simiyu added the trip to Namibia was a key factor in his selection for Dubai and South Africa highlighting that the team has improved on the mistakes they did at the invitational Safland 7s.

“We have worked hard on our weak points mainly the defence. In the recent weeks we have done a lot and I hope we shall improve our performances,” the coach underscored.

Team captain Andrew Amonde maintained they are well prepared for the tournament despite the recent strike while terming the ommision of Injera ‘a big blow’.

“Everything is sorted now and every player now is focusing on the tournament ahead. It is unfortunate Injera is not travelling with us. I must admit he is a vital player and it is really a blow to us but this a chance for other players to step forward and play well in this tournament,” the veteran skipper added.

Shujaa are in Pool D of the Dubai 7s and open their charge against Japan on Saturday at 8am Kenyan time before taking on France at 11am and rounding their preliminary round assignment with Australia at 5:17pm.

-Report by Richard Obaga