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The former Chemelil Sugar centre back has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund
Prior to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), very few knew much about Joseph Okumu. Sundowns’ Brian Niang Mandela, who was then playing for Maritzburg United in the South African Premier Soccer League, was ruled out of the tournament through injury, leaving Kenyans to ask who would fill his void.
It turned out to be Okumu. Although Harambee Stars underwhelmed as they were comprehensively whooped by Algeria and Senegal (There was a win over Tanzania in between though), Okumu stood tall, and it was not surprising therefore, to see him seal a move to Swedish top flight side IF Elfsborg shortly afterwards.
He spent two years at the club, where he continued to display mature performances, which then earned him a move to AA Gent in the Belgian top division in 2021.
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14:00 - 18.04.2023
PREMIER LEAGUE Precise metrics attracting Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund to Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu
The former Chemelil Sugar player has caught the eyes of scouts from top European teams.
At Gent, his game has moved to another level, where he has even gotten to play in European competitions as his side even reached the quarter finals of the UEFA Europa Conference league this season, where they were knocked out by David Moyes.
Following the end of the 2022/23 Belgian Pro League season, Sofascore picked him in his team of the season, with a rating of 7.15, replicating his heroics from the 2020 season for Elfsborg in Sweden. In the Europa Conference League, he has a rating of 7.09.
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It is easy to see why. At Genk, Okumu has mostly played in the middle of a back three, but has favored the right hand side based on his heat map, which shows that the right hand side of Genk’s defensive side being heavily concentrated.
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20:02 - 05.06.2023
STARS ABROAD Timbe picks up draw in China while Akumu continues to be frozen out in Japan
The Kenyan based duo have flattered to deceive for their new Asian clubs.
After 30 games, he has started 29 times and scored one and assisted once in the Europa league. He also has impressive on-the ball statistics. He attempts 49.5 passes per match, with an 81% percent pass accuracy.
He attempts 18.5 passes into the opposition half with a 70 % pass accuracy. He has an impressive 57% progressive pass rate with his long balls. He attempts 7.3 long passes, which puts him top of the league, and 51% of his chipped ones.
He has attempted 2.3 interceptions per game, and 1.5 tackles per game. He won 71% of his ground duels. His interceptions are the third best in the league, showing how good his reading of the game is. In the Conference league, he attempted 1.7 interceptions, the joint 10th best in the competition
The Kenyan defender has strongly been linked with a move to a top five club, including Napoli in previous times. He has also been linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal, as Mikel Arteta attempts to bolster his depth.
He happens to be represented by the Elite Sports Group Limited according to Transfermakt. That agency represents players like Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho, Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun. These are players that have blossomed in recent years. Okumu is clearly in good hands if he is to seal a move to Europe’s elite leagues soon.
Back in August, Okumu insisted he was happy at Genk after a stellar first season in the league.
Asked about possible transfer plans, Okumu was clear: “At the moment that is not the case. I am here at Gent and I like being here. I concentrate on what I have to do and that is playing football. required, I shall hear it."
Now that the season is over and as he prepares to link up with the Harambee Stars squad for the four nations series set to take place in Mauritius next week, the questions will start to be asked again.
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10:44 - 07.06.2023
STARS ABROAD Why Richard Odada, Wanyama's Harambee Stars heir is yet to establish himself at Philadelphia Union
The "Victor Wanyama successor" to the Harambee Stars defensive midfield throne has yet to make an appearance for Philadelphia.
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