Reims coach gives worrying update about Joseph Okumu after defender misses PSG clash

Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat will be keeping his fingers crossed that defender is fit before next month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cameroon after suffering an injury.

Okumu was not in the Stade de Reims squad that held French champions Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 on Saturday night due to a groin injury suffered in training.

The defender had featured for Harambee Stars in their two games against Zimbabwe and Namibia but has not been involved for Reims in their last two matches against Nantes and PSG with his coach confirming the injury.

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“Joseph Okumu is absent because of an injury to the abductor sustained in training and we will have to asses each week but he is not ready for the PSG match,” Reims coach told the media.

Okumu is one of Elsner’s key men and had started all Reims’ three opening matches of the season before the injury setback.

In his absence, Ivory Coast defender Cedric Kipre has partnered his countryman Emmanuel Agbadou in central defence as they won 2-1 against Nantes before the draw with PSG.

The former Gor Mahia man was in impeccable form as Al Duhail sailed to a comfortable 5-1 win over Al Saad on Saturday night.

take on Cameroon in the first of their double header on October 7 before the return match on October 15 with Firat keen to maintain their spot at the top of their qualifying group.

Both Kenya and Cameroon have four points from their first two matches and whoever collects more points from next month’s matches will gain a massive advantage in the qualification journey.

Firat will therefore hope to have all his big hitters around and Okumu is among his key players.

Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has emphasized the need for government support ahead of a crucial AFCON qualifier against Cameroon.