Joseph Okumu to miss Gent Europa Conference League clash against Basaksehir

Image: Imago

STARS ABROAD Joseph Okumu to miss Gent Europa Conference League clash against Basaksehir

Festus Chuma 11:50 - 09.03.2023

The center-back picked an injury in a Belgium Jupiler League match.

Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu has been left out of the KAA Gent squad that is set to take on Istanbul Basaksehir in the UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 tonight.

The Kenyan international's name was left out of the squad for a competition he has excelled played in.

Okumu sustained a leg injury during their 2-0 loss to Club Brugge at Jan Breydel Stadium last week. The 25-year-old missed his side’s win against Anderlecht the previous weekend and now looks unavailable for the Round of 16 games.

Gent manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck hoped he would be available for selection, but he could not train on Tuesday and had to work separately from the team on Wednesday night. They will make a late decision, but he will unlikely start the match.

In the place of Okumu, Vanhaezebrouck is expected to start Cameroonian defender Brian Agbour against Basaksehir.

Okumu has missed two previous matches for Gent and was expected to maintain his starting role in upcoming league and Conference matches.

Gent head into the clash on a run of three consecutive home wins and will be looking to keep the ball rolling.

The Buffaloes made it to the Last 16 after edging out Qarabag on penalties in the playoffs after finishing as runners-up in Group F with eight points from six matches.

Gent have never reached the last eight in Europe since 1992 but have won both previous matches against opposition from Turkey.

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