Harambee Stars Defender Joseph Okumu Poised for Career-Defining Clash Against European Giants PSG in French Cup Final

Should Reims beat PSG in the Coupe De France final, he will become the first ever Kenyan footballer to win a trophy on French soil.

Harambee Stars vice-captain Joseph Okumu is on the verge of making history as his club, Stade de Reims, gears up for a mammoth Coupe de France final clash against Paris Saint-Germain this Saturday at the iconic Stade de France.

Should Reims pull off the upset of the season, Okumu would become the first Kenyan footballer ever to win a major trophy on French soil—an accomplishment that would cement his name in both club and country folklore.

The odds are stacked heavily against Reims, as they face a PSG side brimming with confidence and quality. Luis Enrique’s men are already preparing for a UEFA Champions League final showdown with Inter Milan the following weekend and have been dominant throughout the season across all competitions.

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Although PSG missed out on going unbeaten in Ligue 1 after suffering two late-season defeats, they wrapped up their domestic campaign with a 3-1 win over Auxerre at the Parc des Princes.

Reims in crisis but eyeing fairytale ending

Reims' road to the final has been anything but smooth. After parting ways with head coach Luka Elsner in February, interim boss Samba Diawara oversaw a tense penalty shootout win over Angers in the quarter-finals. 

While there was a brief resurgence after the March international break, the team stumbled again with a 2-1 loss to Lille on the final day of the league season.

That defeat pushed Reims into the relegation playoff zone, where they will now have to face Metz just days before locking horns with PSG in the cup final.

Reims are also dealing with a worrying injury list ahead of their biggest match in years. Key players like Reda Khadra (ex-Brighton), Mohamed Daramy (formerly of Ajax), Yaya Fofana, and Mamadou Diakhon are all ruled out.

Meanwhile, PSG have the luxury of a fully fit squad and the breathing space of a week between their remaining fixtures. They are expected to field their strongest lineup yet again in pursuit of another domestic trophy.

Okumu’s ideal dream at Reims

For Joseph Okumu, this final represents much more than just silverware—it’s a chance to fulfil personal and club ambitions. Since joining Reims from Belgian side Gent in July 2023, the 27-year-old defender has endured a difficult, injury-ridden campaign, managing just 806 minutes across 11 appearances.

However, speaking to GiveMeSport in January, Okumu remained optimistic:

“This season has had ups and downs on a personal level, but I managed it well after dealing with some difficult situations and injuries. I have been back in action, which is pleasing."

He added: "It was not a good start to the new year, but I still think we have the quality and ability to turn things around and be able to finish in a good position to qualify for a European competition. Qualifying for Europe is the objective for the club and for me as well. It is interesting to play at one of the highest levels."

A win over PSG wouldn't just secure the French Cup—it would also guarantee Reims a UEFA Europa League berth next season, marking a triumphant turnaround for a team currently battling relegation.

For Okumu, it could also be the ultimate platform to launch himself into Europe's top leagues—a goal that many in Kenyan football, including legends like Dennis Oliech, have encouraged him to chase.