Kenyan youngsters Hilary Odhiambo and Bill Okumu were named on Fort Wayne’s substitutes bench as their team picked a 4-2 victory over Indy Eleven Academy in a friendly match played on Wednesday at the Shield Fields Stadium in Bishop Dwenger, USA.Back in 2021, the two players, who used to ply their trade at National Super League side Kibera Black Stars, moved to the United States of America after securing full football scholarships in the United States of America upon impressing in trials. The duo then completed moves to the United States League 2 side in May this year.Kenyan youngsters Hilary Odhiambo and Bill Okumu have joined US League 2 side Fort Wayne FC. The two have been studying and playing football in the US for a while now.#StarsAbroad pic.twitter.com/GMXrGanPc6— Jeff Kinyanjui (@Nyash88) May 7, 2022 In the friendly game, Fort Wayne were the first to concede after a nervy start as Indy Eleven scored inside the opening two minutes. After settling in the tie and hitting the reset button, captain of the day Alexandre Frank restored parity in the match with a 24th minute strike.Less than ten minutes later, Ousman Jallow managed to give Okumu’s side the lead with a goal in the 32nd minute. Immediately afterwards, there was a 55 minute delay in the game occasioned by lightning spotted amidst the heavy downpour.Ayany challenges Kibera Black Stars to emulate duoThe game however managed to resume and it was Indy Eleven who once again quickly got off the blocks as Kabiru Gafar capitalized on a defensive miscue deep in the Fort Wayne end to tie it at 2 in the 66th minute.However, with the game looking to end in a draw, Fort Wayne put on a late show to ensure they walked away with the victory.With two minutes left on the clock, substitute Cue Albert Anaya, put Fort Wayne 3-2 up before Graham’s stoppage-time penalty sealed the win.“It was a little clunky at the start, but it got better and better and better. I was proud of the guys, they stuck with it and they got better as the game went on,” coach Mike Avery remarked after the game.
