Harambee Stars Abroad: Injury Woes Strike Kenyan Duo in England

Harambee Stars defender Collins Sichenje's Charlton Athletic have successfully avoided relegation from the Championship, but the defender's celebration was cut short by an injury.

Charlton secured their place in the second tier for another season with a crucial 2-1 victory over Hull City at The Valley on Saturday.

Goals from Charlie Kelman and Jayden Fevrier, sandwiching an equaliser from John Egan, gave Nathan Jones' side the vital three points.

The result lifted the Addicks to 53 points, creating an insurmountable six-point gap to Oxford United in the final relegation spot with just one match left. Oxford United will now be relegated to League One, joining Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester City.

Despite the team's success, it was a worrying afternoon for Collins Sichenje. The Harambee Stars defender, who was part of the starting backline alongside Lloyd Jones and Macaulay Gillesphey, was forced off the pitch just 28 minutes into the game. He was replaced by Reece Burke.

This latest setback is particularly concerning as Sichenje had only recently returned from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him for seven matches.

In a strange coincidence, another Harambee Stars prospect, Eliot Matazo, also had his match end prematurely. Making his first start for Hull City in over a year, the Belgian international lasted only 11 minutes before being substituted for Paddy McNair. Matazo has been battling back from a torn ACL suffered last year and a more recent setback.

The defeat was a significant blow to Hull's ambitions, causing them to drop out of the playoff positions. They are now level on points with Wrexham, who are set to play champions Coventry City on Sunday.

Hull will face Norwich City in their final game, while Wrexham takes on Middlesbrough in a tense race for the last playoff spot.

Manager Nathan Jones expressed immense pride and relief after his side claimed a victory. "I think this achievement has been underestimated," Jones stated after the match. "We want to move forward. We started really well, but always knew this was going to be a tough season."

The Addicks went ahead with a spectacular strike from Charlie Kelman, but a late first-half equaliser from John Egan saw the teams go into the break level.

However, a brilliant second-half finish from Jayden Fevrier ultimately secured all three points for the home side in SE7.

Reflecting on the season's challenges, Jones highlighted the magnitude of the accomplishment. "We were coming into a monster of a league. To be competing is an achievement in itself," he said.

"To be as competitive, front-footed, and aggressive as we have has been another. We've had injuries and been under the cosh at times, but the worst we've been is six points above the relegation zone. I think it is the most wonderful achievement."

Despite the win, the manager noted areas for improvement, particularly in game management. "We have to get cheap goals out of our game," he explained. "We feel in recent weeks at home we have let ourselves down and given ourselves a mountain to climb."

Jones continued: "Fortunately, we came out and played really well in the second half. Hull have some wonderful individuals. We finished stronger, scored some great goals, and we could have won 3-1."

The manager, who described the week as one of the toughest of his life due to the high stakes, praised the collective effort at the club. "I am so proud of how we work, the level of sacrifice and organisation," he said. "The players, staff, and the board…every member of staff does meteoric work here."

He emphasised the club's progress, noting, "Two years ago, we were in League One and in danger, and now we are competing with ex-Premier League sides. We move forward every single year."

With their Championship status confirmed, Jones urged the Valley faithful to back the team as they look to build on this season's success, with 2026/27 season tickets now on sale.

"We are going to get better," he promised. "It has been an exciting and entertaining season. The next challenge is to maintain the levels we showed in the first 15 games. Get your season tickets; this is the next step, the next phase of what we want to do."