The towering Harambee Stars centre back nearly scored his first ever Ligue 1 goal but, but his attempt went wide off the mark.
The towering Harambee Stars centre back nearly scored his first ever Ligue 1 goal but, but his attempt went wide off the mark.
Joseph Okumu featured in the middle of a back three for the first time since his Genk days as Stade Reims’ push for next season’s Champions League places were dented by Toulouse, who held them to a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Okumu, who started the match five days after helping Harambee Stars secure a 2-2 draw against Russia on Monday, generally looked assured, making five tackles and one more interception, and winning five of his nine ground duels attempted.
09:45 - 21.10.2023
STARS ABROAD Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu to lead Reims charge against resilient Toulouse
Kenyan defender Joseph Okumu strengthens Reims' resolve against Toulouse, setting the stage for a thrilling Ligue 1 clash in Toulouse.
He also attempted to get on the scoring sheet, with his attempt in the 45th minute registering an xG of 0.23.
Okumu nearly got an assist himself as early as in the second minute when he tried a through ball, but Thomas Foket was caught offside.
In the 45th minute, Valentin Atangana Edoa’s right footed shot from outside the box was blocked after Emmanuel Agbadou had found him well, dening Reims a chance to go ahead.
08:26 - 22.10.2023
STARS ABROAD Harambee Stars winger features as Exeter are downed by Wigan
The 23-year-old, who received his maiden call up to the Harambee Stars squad for the Russia friendly, featured but could not help Exeter avoid defeat against Wigan.
Okumu should have opened his Ligue 1 scoring charts two minutes later, but his header sailed wide off the mark.
Reims opened the scoring right after half time through Amir Richardson, but Thjis Dalinga restored parity for the hosts just two minutes later when he got on the end of an assist by Logan Costa.
Both sides struggled to get going after that, with neither team creating inroads in the other’s half, with the next big opportunity coming for Toulouse in the 84th minute through a set piece situation that went wide.
18:00 - 19.10.2023
Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu shares secret to his lightning-fast pace
Usain Bolt, who is the fastest man of all time, averaged a ground speed of 37.58km/h when he set the 100m world record, while the Harambee Stars defender clocked a top speed of upto 36km/h for Genk last season.