Shujaa ace Otieno joins Canadian rugby team
Kenya Sevens fast-rising international Alvin ‘Buffa’ Otieno is set to miss the much-anticipated rugby World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa from September 9-11 2022.
Shujaa head coach Damian McGrath revealed that Buffa was left in America after the conclusion of HSBC World Sevens 2022, Los Angeles 7s where Kenya finished sixth.
“We’ve been hit by several withdrawals, not of our choosing. We’ve lost Otieno who has left the programme to pursue personal interests…which is a big blow because he is one of the world’s best Sevens forwards,” McGrath said.
According to close sources, Otieno who has been regarded as one of the best forwards currently in the game has joined Eastman Warriors Rugby Club in the Eastman region of the province of Manitoba, Canada.
He joins former Homeboyz teammate and fly-half Evin Asena as well as Dominic Wendo who featured for Kenya Cup side Strathmore Leos.
Global bonanza
With only one week left to the global bonanza, the Damian McGrath-coached side will also miss the services of Mwamba RFC flyhalf Daniel Taabu and Homeboyz RFC speedy winger Bush Mwale who were left out due to disciplinary issues.
Commenting on the disciplinary issue, McGrath said, “We’ve lost Daniel Taabu and Bush Mwale for internal disciplinary matters which have been dealt with but necessitated them being left out of this particular squad. It’s a blow to the team, but we are confident with the squad we have selected.”
Shujaa however will welcome the inclusion of veteran winger and all-time Kenyan top try scorer Collins Injera.
Injera was named to represent the country for the fourth time in the upcoming 2022 Rugby World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa.
“Feels nice to be back in the Sevens fold, it’s been a while since I was here I had gone to the 15s team. Getting a chance to play in the World Cup is huge,” he said.
