Timbe picks up draw in China while Akumu continues to be frozen out in Japan

STARS ABROAD Timbe picks up draw in China while Akumu continues to be frozen out in Japan

Mark Kinyanjui 20:02 - 05.06.2023

The Kenyan based duo have flattered to deceive for their new Asian clubs.

It was a weekend to forget for the Asian-based Kenyan duo of Ayub Timbe and Teddy Akumu as they both failed to make a positive impact for their respective sides to help them win this weekend.

Timbe, who plies his trade in Chinese League One side Nanjing, having joined from Buriram United started against Jianxi Liansheng.

The winger struggled to create chances or even get on the end of goal-scoring chances, before being substituted in the 89th minute for Brazilian striker Jefferson. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.

Nanjing are currently sixth on 13 points, five points adrift of the promotion places. Timbe will be hoping to start delivering soon to help his side and stand a chance of returning to the national team.

In Japan, Teddy Akumu, who received a call up to the Harrambe Stars squad for the Four Nations Series that will be taking place in Mauritius from 8 June has not been playing league games for his side Sagan Tosu.

Noichi Naganuma scored twice to give Tosu a 2-1 win over hosts Yokohama FC to put them ninth on 22 points, 11 behind Andres Iniesta's Vissel Kobe who are currently leading the table.

Akumu joined Tosu in December after spending six months without a club following his exit from Kaizer Chiefs after his contract was mutually terminated.

The 30-year-old has only had action in the Japanese League Cup, where he has featured just thrice and scored once.

The only non-Japanese player that Tosu has fielded has been Hwang Seok-Ho of Korea. There are no limitations for the registration of foreign players in the Japanese League, but only a maximum of five foreign players can be part of a matchday squad.

The Kenyan international last played a full 90-minute club match in 2021 while still contracted to Kaizer Chiefs.