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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
Joseph Okumu will miss Stade de Reim’s second Ligue 1 match of the season against Clermont Foot on Sunday due to an injury.
The Harambee Stars defender played all 90 minutes on his French top flight debut as his side Stade de Reims suffered a 2-1 loss to Marseille last weekend but has not won the fitness race to be involved on Sunday after sustaining a hamstring injury.
Reims coach Will Still had on Friday expressed his concern that he was worried Okumu might not be fit for this weekend’s encounter and his fears were confirmed on Saturday as he left the defender out of the squad for Sunday’s clash as his side search a first win of the season.
“Joseph Okumu felt some discomfort in his hamstring at the start of the week so he didn’t train much. He adapted today (Friday) so he has a fair chance on Sunday,” Still said in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
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19:30 - 19.08.2023
STARS ABROAD Joseph Okumu: Reims coach issues worrying update about Harambee Stars defender
The Kenyan international faces a race against time to be fit for Sunday’s Ligue 1 clash at home to Clermont Foot
Okumu 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 have to do without at Stade Auguste-Delaune.
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.
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 caution going forward.
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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
Reims and Clermont will both aim to bounce back from defeat on the opening weekend of the Ligue 1 season when they clash on Sunday.
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