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Okumu is making great strides towards becoming one of the best defenders in Ligue 1, just like Thiago Silva in his days playing for PSG.
Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu has revealed three role models he has looked up to in an effort to build his career ever since he realised he could go professional.
Okumu, who plays for high-flying French Ligue 1 outfit Stade Reims, namechecked three defenders, fellow compatriot Brian Mandela, Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly, and Chelsea veteran Thiago Silva as his inspirations.
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07:33 - 17.10.2023
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The 26-year-old further revealed why he has looked up to the three defenders to help him shape his career as a ball-playing center-back.
“Yeah, quite a few. A few of them when I was back in Kenya, they played in Kenya,” Okumu said.
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“One is Brian Mandela, and then there is (Kalidou) Koulibaly as well and Thiago Silva.”
“The kind of quality they have. Calm, if it's time to be aggressive they are aggressive, but if it is time to be calm, they are calm.”
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10:00 - 08.10.2023
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It is not the first time that Okumu has spoken in glowing terms about the three defenders.
In the days building up to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament that arguably shaped Okumu’s trajectory, the Kakamega High School alumnus had spoken candidly about how he looked up to Mandela for inspiration.
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16:34 - 18.10.2023
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"I have grown up watching (David “Calabar”) Owino and Mandela. That we are now in the same team and fighting for the same positions is an achievement and a moment I have been waiting for. I played with Mandela against Madagascar and he was an amazing partner," Okumu said
"I have always admired Silva and I wish I will meet him one day whether by playing against or with him or even meeting him in person. He has always been a stand-out player for me," he concluded.
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08:41 - 16.09.2023
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"In Africa, I admire Koulibaly and if I get a chance to play against him, it would be wonderful."
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