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Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu has opened up after following in Dennis Oliech's footsteps of scoring in Ligue 1.
Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu is hoping he will find the target for Stade Reims on a more regular basis after he scored his first goal as Stade de Reims secured a 1-1 draw against Lyon at Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Saturday.
The towering Okumu had featured for Kenya in Lilongwe during the last FIFA Series friendly as Stars hammered hosts Malawi 4-0 in their opener and then floored Zimbabwe’s Warriors 3-1 in the final to lift their first trophy under coach Engin Firat.
Okumu's goal came in the 55th minute of the match, following a corner delivered by Valentin Atangana.
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08:00 - 31.03.2024
STARS ABROAD Joseph Okumu on target as Reims drop points against Lyon
Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu scored his first Ligue 1 goal on Saturday night marking a pivotal moment in Reims' intense draw against Olympique Lyonnais.
Yunis Abdelhamid's deflection off the corner struck Lyon's crossbar, and the ball fell to Okumu, who displayed quick reflexes to push it past Lyon's goalkeeper Anthony Lopez.
Reflecting on his milestone, Okumu expressed his satisfaction with opening his goal-scoring account for Stade De Reims.
"I am happy to have scored my first goal for Reims," Okumu said as quoted on FlashScore. "I knew the goal would come but I had to wait patiently. I hope this will open up for many more to come."
Having represented Kenya in recent FIFA Series friendlies, where Harambee Stars secured victories against Malawi and Zimbabwe, Okumu returned to France with confidence. His performance against Lyon showcased his ability to make an impact at both ends of the pitch.
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10:47 - 01.04.2024
STARS ABROAD Daniel Anyembe nets maiden Viborg goal as Olunga fires blanks in Al Duhail's defeat to Al Rayyan
The Harambee Stars right-back netted his first-ever goal for Viborg in their convincing win on Sunday.
"I always want to help my team when called upon," Okumu affirmed. "I am ready to play, and when I get the opportunity, it is all about helping the team to win matches."
Okumu's goal marks a significant milestone for Kenyan football, as he joins former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech as one of the few Kenyan players to have scored in Ligue 1.
Oliech, a trailblazer for Kenyan football in France, enjoyed a successful career in the league, scoring goals for Nantes and AJ Auxerre.
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07:32 - 29.03.2024
FOOTBALL The winners and losers from Harambee Stars' Four Nations Tournament triumph
Engin Firat is among the biggest winners' from Harambee Stars' Malawi Four Nations Tournament triumph, but who are the other gainers and losers from the international break?
Stade De Reims coach Will Still praised Okumu and his fellow new acquisitions for their contributions to the team's style of play.
"I'm very happy and proud of everyone because I think this is the Stade de Reims that everybody wants to see," Still stated on the Ligue 1 show. "We showed great maturity, it is proof that the club is making tracks in the right direction."
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