Kenyans Abroad: Joseph Okumu Begins Ligue 1 Campaign With Defeat

• Joseph Okumu played the entire game as his Reims side opened their Ligue 1 campaign with a defeat to Lille
• The towering Chemelil Sugar FC product featured consistently in pre-season for new Reims boss Luke Elsner
• TUKO.co.ke brings you a round-up of how Kenyan football players playing in outside leagues performed over the weekend

Joseph Okumu and his Reims side started their Ligue 1 campaign in dispiriting fashion after going 2-0 down to Lille on August 17.

Okumu lasted the entire 90 minutes as goals from Bafode Diakite and Jonathan David condemned Luka Elsner's side to defeat.

The match was marred by a serious injury issue. Former Manchester United defender Angel Gomes received a blow to the head and required treatment for over 20 minutes on the pitch. Lille midfielder Amadou Kone was red-carded for that incident.

Reims will be hoping to improve on their 9th-place finish from last season.

Oduor comes from the bench for Bradford

In England, Harambee Stars full-back Clarke Oduor was introduced in the 70th minute as his Bradford City side played out to a goalless draw against Salford in League Two.

Oduor was brought on for Alexander Pattison in their second game of the season. The stalemate leaves them on four points in seventh place.

Zak Vyner helps Bristol to crucial win

Still in England, Harambee Stars' prospect Zak Vyner featured for 90 minutes to help Bristol City beat Millwall 4-3 in a Championship game. The goal fest at Ashton Gate ended in favour of Vyner's side thanks to a Scott Twine winner two minutes from time.

The English-born Vyner was selected in Engin Firat's squad for June's World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast but failed to feature due to registration issues. It will be interesting to see if Firat calls him up once again in September for AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Marcelo Ouma plays in Rakow draw

In Poland, Eric 'Marcelo' Ouma was hooked off at half-time as his Rakow Czestochowa played out to a barren draw with Gornik Zabrze in a top-flight match. Marcelo, who joined the club earlier this year from Swedish side AIK Stockholm, has featured in all five games so far this season.

Rakow has won twice, drawn twice and lost once to have eight points, two behind the joint leaders.

Odada, Ayunga face off in Scotland

Moving to Scotland, Richard Odada was an unused substitute as his Dundee United side beat St.Mirren 1-0 in the League Cup playoffs. The Harambee Stars defensive midfielder is still learning the ropes of Scottish football after joining the side last month.

His compatriot Jonah Ayunga came off the bench for St.Mirren in the 59th minute but failed to affect proceedings with a Ross Graham goal in the 34th minute separating the two sides.

Kenyan U-20 captain goes missing

TUKO.co.ke also reported that U20 Rising Starlets captain Jane Hato has been reported missing ahead of a vital match, prompting a public appeal from the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

Hato, who recently signed with Kenya Police Bullets FC, was expected to join her team for their trip to Ethiopia for CAF Women's Champions League qualifiers but failed to show up at the meeting point.

She has since been found.

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Joseph Okumu, Kylian Mbappe, Harambee Stars, Richard Odada, Eric Ouma, Zak Vyner, Clarke Oduor.

Okumu insists he is happy at KAA Gent amid transfer rumours after

Reims : le très beau geste de Joseph Okumu pour un club du Kenya