A number of Kenyan professional footballers featured for their clubs over the weekend ahead of the upcoming international break.
Some of them like Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu started their matches while others like Richard Odada made cameos from the bench. Here is a brief wrap of how these players performed.
Meja scores in Sweden
Harambee Stars forward Henry Atola Meja continued with his goalscoring form in Sweden on Saturday.
The former Tusker man scored in AFC Eskilstuna’s 3-2 victory over Friska Viljor FC in an end-to-end match played at the Skyttis IP konstgräs.
Friska Viljor took the lead in the third minute via Carl Isak before Karl Per Leo found an equalizer for the visitors five minutes later.
Meja made it 2-1 in the 23rd minute shortly before the hosts leveled the proceedings through Elias Cederblad.
The goal was Meja’s second in a space of six days since he also hit the back of the net on Sunday, November 3.
Leo’s second goal of the game, which came in the 63rd minute, ensured AFC Eskilstuna collected the maximum points.
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Joseph Okumu features in Reims’ Ligue 1 victory
Former Chemelil Sugar defender Joseph Okumu played an influential role in Stade de Reims 0-3 win over Le Havre on Sunday in a French Ligue 1 fixture.
Okumu, who is expected to team up with the Harambee Stars squad ahead of the upcoming 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches, featured for the entire game.
Reims goals were scored by Ivorian forward Oumar Diakite and the Japanese duo of Junya Ito and Keito Nakamura.
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Ian Otieno earns praise from South African fans
Ex-AFC Leopard’s goalkeeper Ian Otieno received a lot of praise from South African fans following his impressive performances.
Otieno started between the posts in Richard Bay’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Magesi in a Telkom Knockout match on Saturday.
Vino Snap, one of the continent’s popular photographers, described the 31-year-old as a talented player in a Facebook post.
“I challenge you all to keep an eye on Richards Bay FC goalkeeper Ian Otieno. A gifted shot stopper, fearless and brave,” his statement ended.
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His post led to a lot of reactions from South Africans with one of them named Ntokozo Nkululeko Nxumalo identifying some of the aspects that makes Otieno a top player.
“I agree my man, that goalkeeper is good. I was telling my colleagues about him. Very comfortbale on the ball with his feet, good on handling as well as distribution,” he stated.
Elsewhere, Harambee Stars ace Richard Odada made a substitute appearance for Scottish side Dundee FC over the weekend.
Odada replaced Luca Stephenson in the 79th minute of the one-sided encounter which the hosts secured a 3-0 win.
Dundee FC’s goals were all scored in the second half through Stephenson (57’), Sam Dalby (68’) and Owen Stirton (90+2’).
Meanwhile, Harambee Starlets forward Mwanahalima Adam Jereko was an unused substitute in Kansas City Current’s narrow 1-0 win over North Carolina Courage in a National Women’s Soccer League clash played on Sunday.
Malawian goal machine Temwa Chawinga netted the goal for KC Current in the eighth minute of the hotly contested match.
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