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The Kenyan midfielder’s nightmare spell in Japan continued on Saturday as he was snubbed yet again by Sagan Tosu for their J-League loss away to Kashima Antlers
Former Gor Mahia midfielder Anthony ‘Teddy’ Akumu continues to languish in the wilderness at Japanese top flight side Sagan Tosu after not being involved again in the club’s league match against Kashima Antlers on Saturday.
It was the 24 straight league match that the Kenyan has not been fielded, having failed to make even the matchday squad, with his tough spell seeing him restricted to cup games the last of which he played in June.
It has been puzzling why the midfielder is never used by Sagan Tosu despite joining the club with a big reputation in December 2022 given he is only among four players from the squad of 35 who are considered foreign.
Sagan Tosu lost Saturday’s match 2-1 despite fighting back from a goal down to equalise in 60th minute and were holding on for a point until they conceded a penalty 10 minutes from time, which Kashima converted to take all three points.
Defeat saw them remain in midtable as they are 12th on the 18-team J-League log with 30 points from 24 matches, having won eight, drawn six and lost 10.
Sagan Tosu are also among the teams that have conceded the most in the division, having let in 30, and Akumu would have perhaps helped protect their defence had he been getting game time.
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13:23 - 12.08.2023
STARS ABROAD Anthony ‘Teddy’ Akumu at Sagan Tosu: Eight months, no single league appearance in Japan for former Gor Mahia midfielder
The Kenyan international has not been selected for any of Sagan Tosu’s 22 league matches, featuring in just three cup games, since joining the Japanese outfit in December 2022
The Kenyan has appeared three times in the J-League Cup, where he has scored one goal, and once in the Emperor’s Cup.
He has, however, not kicked a ball in all competitions since June 7, being subbed off at half-time in his side’s 5-1 win over Tegevajaro Miyazaki in the second round of the Emperor’s Cup, meaning his last minutes at any level came in Harambee Stars’ 1-0 loss to Mauritius on June 18.
It is still not known why the lanky midfielder has not been playing enough, which may put his international career in jeopardy as Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat will want his players to be match sharp as he continues to build a team to take part in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the 2025 AFCON qualifying trail.
Akumu could perhaps take advantage of the current transfer window and switch clubs before it shuts so that he can get an opportunity to play regularly.
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