Just days after being shortlisted for the Swedish top tier defender of the year nominee, Harambee Stars left back Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma capped off a fine 2021 season as his AIK side secured a spot in next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers following a win recorded on the last day of the season.In the match played against Sirius on Saturday evening at the Friends Arena Stadium, AIK were made to work hard for their 4-2 victory that sealed their spot in the qualifiers of the third-tier European competition.As early as the 21st minute, the home side found themselves on the backfoot as they trailed by two goals converted by Adam Stahl and Christian Kouakou for the visitors. Argentinian international Nicolas Marcelo Stefanelli however ensured that the two teams would go into the break on level pegging as he bagged a first half brace that restored parity.Upon second half’s resumption, it only took two minutes for AIK to go ahead for the first time in the match as Sotiris Papagiannopoulos scored in the 47th minute. Long serving 37-year-old Eritrean international Henok Goitom then marked his last appearance for the club in style as he emerged from the bench before going on to score his 100th goal AIK goal that sealed the 4-2 comeback win.Interestingly, AIK, who finished last season in 9th place in the league, only missed the Swedish title this season courtesy of an inferior goal difference to champions Malmo who successfully defended the title they won last season.
Joseph OkumuOver in Belgium, Okumu had to be withdrawn in the 31st minute of the game after the Harambee Stars centre back suffered the after effects of a collision sustained in KAA Gent’s match against Leuven.0-1 (31’) | 🔄 Okumu heeft te veel last van een botsing met Kaba en wordt vervangen door Godeau #ohlgnt #jpl— KAA Gent (@KAAGent) December 4, 2021 Despite his forced absence, Gent managed to hold onto the 10th minute goal given to them by Dutch international Tarik Tissoudali as they temporarily moved upto 4th on the league table on 27 points, ten behind lead leading Royale Union SG.Richard OdadaIn the Serbian top flight, Odada was introduced in the 61st minute as his Metalac side succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Proleter, a result that left them deeply entrenched in the relegation group as they sit third from bottom on the standings.Over in the English Championship, there was no feature for Clarke Oduor as Barnsley fought to claim a 1-1 draw against Huddersfield.