)
The Harambee Stars defender is in line for his second Ligue 1 game as Reims search for back-to-back wins away to Montpellier
Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu will be available for Stade de Reims’ Ligue 1 clash away to Montpellier on Sunday after missing last weekend’s match due to an injury.
Okumu sustained a hamstring injury at the start of last week after making his French top flight debut against Marseille and while his coach Will Still hoped to have him for his side’s 2-0 home win against Clermont Foot, he could not win the fitness race and was left out of the squad.
However, the Kenyan international is now ready to resume action after fully returning to training this week and Still will now be able to select him for Sunday’s match.
)
08:00 - 20.08.2023
STARS ABROAD Confirmed: Injury knocks Joseph Okumu out of Reims’ Ligue 1 clash against Clermont Foot
The Harambee Stars defender has been left out of the squad for Sunday’s clash after failing to win the fitness race due to a hamstring injury
Okumu played all 90 minutes on his French top flight debut as his side suffered a 2-1 loss to Marseille and had a good game despite the defeat.
He had the second highest rating among Reims players, getting a Whoscored rating of 6.9 after an 87 percent pass accuracy, winning three aerial duels while he had two dribbles as well as one tackle against Marseille, and those are some of the qualities Still will be happy to have back on Sunday.
The former KAA Gent defender was good in the air as well as on the ground as he dealt with most of the threats posed by Marseille while keeping former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang quiet.
It is the second time since signing for Reims that Okumu has had a discomfort in his hamstring after going down after 21 minutes on his debut for the club during their pre-season game against Spanish side Getafe last month.
)
20:33 - 12.08.2023
STARS ABROAD Joseph Okumu stars on Ligue 1 debut but Reims suffer opening day defeat to Marseille
The Harambee Stars defender was the second highest rated Reims player after his impressive display at the Stade Velodrome but still ended up empty-handed
It was later revealed that he had just felt stiffness in his legs due to extensive pre-season training but his new club will now be employing a cautious approach going forward.
Reims will be hoping to build on last week’s victory with Still keen for another clean sheet for which Okumu will be crucial to achieving.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)