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Timothy Ouma has been playing UEFA Europa League football for Swedish outfit IF Elfsborg, while Adam Wilson has been featuring in the Conference League for Welsh giants The New Saints FC.
Harambee Stars midfielders Timothy Ouma and Adam Wilson endured challenging outings in European competitions this week, as their respective clubs, IF Elfsborg and The New Saints (TNS), suffered defeats in high-stakes matches.
Timothy Ouma came on as a second-half substitute but could not help IF Elfsborg avoid a humbling 3-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League clash at the Estadio San Mamés on Wednesday night.
The 21-year-old, who featured for the final 45 minutes, managed 10 accurate passes from 16 attempts, completed one take-on, and won two of his four ground duels. Despite his efforts, Elfsborg could not match the La Liga side's intensity and technical quality.
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09:31 - 04.10.2024
Harambee Stars winger Adam Wilson impressive despite TNS' UEFA Europa Conference League loss to David De Gea's Fiorentina
Wilson, who was called up to the Harambee Stars squad for the games against Cameroon, impressed although his side TNS fell short to Fiorentina in UEFA Europa Conference league debut.
Bilbao set the tone early with a goal in the sixth minute from a well-rehearsed corner, capitalizing on defensive lapses. The Spanish outfit doubled their lead in the 24th minute when a clever dribble and pinpoint cross resulted in a header that beat goalkeeper Isak Pettersson.
Elfsborg's attempts to respond were stifled by Bilbao's organized defense, and their best chance came late in the first half when Besfort Zeneli’s deep ball found Arber Zeneli, whose effort to beat the goalkeeper missed the target.
The second half offered a brief spell of promise for the Swedish visitors, but Bilbao sealed the win with a third goal in the 53rd minute, showcasing their clinical edge. Elfsborg's improved possession in the latter stages was insufficient as the Basque club maintained control to close out the game.
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05:00 - 29.11.2024
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Wilson endures UEFA Conference League defeat
Meanwhile, Adam Wilson also featured for The New Saints (TNS) in their 1-0 defeat to Sweden's Djurgårdens IF in a UEFA Europa Conference League group-stage match on Thursday.
Wilson, introduced in the 69th minute, made an immediate impact with one key pass and a perfect record in ground duels, winning all three he contested. Operating as a right winger, he exhibited energy and creativity but couldn't find the breakthrough for his side.
Djurgårdens' Tobias Gulliksen scored the decisive goal four minutes before halftime, punishing TNS during one of their rare defensive lapses. Despite the loss, the Welsh champions made their Swedish opponents work hard, frustrating them with disciplined defending.
The defeat leaves TNS with a daunting task ahead as they face Panathinaikos and Celje in their remaining group fixtures. However, their resilience in competing against seasoned European sides offers hope for future performances.
Both Ouma and Wilson showcased glimpses of their potential in difficult circumstances but were unable to turn the tide for their teams. With more challenging fixtures on the horizon, the Harambee Stars duo will look to build on these experiences and make greater contributions in upcoming matches.
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