Kenya Morans captain Clinton Amukwachi has opened up about the physical and mental challenges he faced during his recovery from a grade two anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sprain that sidelined him for part of the 2026 National 7s Circuit.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe towering forward sustained the injury during the Ruff n Tuff 7s in a match against Impala, forcing him to watch from the sidelines as he began his rehabilitation journey.While the physical pain was difficult to endure, the uncertainty surrounding the severity of the injury proved equally challenging, with the possibility of surgery weighing heavily on his mind.“The worst thing about the injury was the pain that came afterwards. I sustained it during the Ruff n Tuff 7s, and it was a tough period for me. The injury affected me mentally because the first thing I did was visit a physiotherapist, who told me I might need surgery. Kevin Wambua welcomes squad selection headache ahead of HSBC SVNS 2I had seen what my friend went through during surgery and rehabilitation, and it was not easy for him. I could not imagine myself going through the same experience because it was scary,” Amukwachi told Mozzart Sport.The initial assessment left the Daystar Falcons skipper anxious about his recovery and return to competitive rugby.However, a subsequent visit to his team's physiotherapist brought some relief, with the specialist reassuring him that the injury could be managed through rest and physiotherapy.“That thought stayed in my mind until I visited our team physiotherapist, who reassured me that it was not a major injury. He told me I needed rest and physiotherapy, and that I would be fine,” he added.##NAJAVA_MECA_10027921##Despite the reassurance, returning to the pitch presented a different set of challenges, as the fear of sustaining another injury continued to affect his confidence.Amukwachi eventually made his comeback at the Kabeberi 7s, where he helped Daystar Falcons defeat Kabras RFC in the fifth-place playoff before losing to hosts Mwamba RFC in the final to finish sixth.He featured for the Falcons in the remaining legs of the circuit, helping the Caleb Bosire-coached side finish fourth at the National 7s Circuit with 80 points.However, his return was not without moments of hesitation. The lingering fear of another injury occasionally forced him to reconsider challenges he would previously have embraced without a second thought.Zimbabwe Cheetahs coach details pros and cons of 15s success for sevens team“Coming back was not easy because I still had doubts and feared getting injured again. There were moments when that fear affected me. For instance, during the Embu 7s, I pulled out before reaching the try line because I saw an opponent coming towards my legs,” Amukwachi revealed.“It has not been easy, but I am learning to adapt one tournament at a time,” he continued.His gradual return to form eventually earned him a call-up to the Kenya Morans. Amukwachi was part of the national team that clinched the Africa Men's 7s title last weekend before finishing runners-up at the Safari 7s, improving on their third-place finish in the previous edition.The call-up marked his second appearance for the Morans, having first represented the side during last year's Safari 7s.Gor Mahia head coach provides update on suspended Harambee Stars duoHis performances have also made him one of the tournament's standout personalities, with his trademark celebration of waving his right hand across his face as he races towards the try line becoming a familiar sight during the Morans' matches.Beyond the physical demands of rehabilitation and the mental battle to regain confidence, family support played a crucial role in helping him navigate the difficult period.Amukwachi revealed that he opened up to his mother and the rest of his family about the injury when he received his national team call-up, highlighting the importance of having a strong support system during recovery.“My mum has always been supportive, and having my family behind me helped me through that difficult period,” he said.
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