Kenya Simbas' winger Derrick Ashiundu has been ruled out of November's Repechage tournament in Dubai after suffering a broken leg.
The fleet-footed powerful winger sustained the injury while playing for Kabras Sugar during the National Sevens' circuit final leg in Kakamega.
Speaking yesterday, Kenya Simbas' head coach Paul Odera explained that the earliest time Ashiundu could return is the new year after undergoing surgery and rehabilitation.]
“It's sad he won't be available for the repechage but we wish him well for the future. I hope he recovers and at some point in the new season, he can play for his club," said Odera
Ashiundu was a standout performer for the sugar millers last season as they won both the Kenya and Enterprise Cup titles.
Odera said Nondies' prop Ian Njenga is making a good recovery from the knee injury sustained in training in South Africa in April.
“Njenga is making good progress at the moment. He is able to run and get into contact. We will monitor him for the next couple of weeks and see if he can resume training with the rest of the squad."
Odera said they hope to start training next week in readiness for the repechage.
“Yes, we have been out for a while since the Rugby World Cup qualifier in France in July and we need to resume training quickly as time is not on our side,” added Odera.
The Simbas need Sh38 million to cater for a four-week training camp period in South Africa in October.
“We are asking corporate sponsors, partners and the government to support us in our quest to qualify for the World Cup,” he noted.
The Simbas lost to Namibia 36-0 in the final of the Africa qualifiers in Marseilles, France last month.
The former skipper said they have started doing reviews on the opposition they are going to face in Dubai in November.
“ We have analysed the recent USA match against Chile, Portugal vs Georgia and Hong Kong v Tonga to give us an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of the teams."
He is hopeful that Simbas will play an international side ahead of the repechage.
"I hope we can get a warm-up game before we play at the qualifier. The union and World Rugby are in consultations for this to happen."
