KAA Genk, home to Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu, will face off with Premier League side West Ham United in the quarter finals of the 2022/2023 UEFA Europa League.In the draw conducted on Friday afternoon in Nyon, KAA Genk will welcome the Hammers in the first leg of the tie on Thursday 13 April before making the trip to London for the second leg on Thursday 20 April at the Olympic Stadium.##NAJAVA_MECA_7108294##The winner of the quarter final will book a place in the tournament semifinals where they will face either AZ Alkmaar or Anderlecht who meet in the other quarter final tie.Speaking after the draw, KAA Genk manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck said, “If you look at it [draw] purely from a sporting point of view, we have to be honest and admit that we could have drawn better than West Ham. It is a real power team. So we have to keep the reality in mind, but in football you always have a opportunity.”Ook de aftrapuren van de duels tegen West Ham zijn intussen bekend. De thuismatch vindt plaats op 13/4 om 18.45u, de terugwedstrijd op 20/4 om 21u (Belgische tijd) #UECL #kaagent MEER I https://t.co/fAc0WGeHJA— KAA Gent (@KAAGent) March 17, 2023 The Belgian manager however cautioned Okumu and his teammates not to focus on April or the outcome of the draw but to have their eyes on playing Belgian Pro League side Eupen on Sunday.Team striker Hugo Cuypers voiced the same message as his coach saying, “We can no longer miss points in the competition. So we have to try to win everything, starting this Sunday against Eupen. Now that the injured are gradually returning, I have a good eye for it.”Kimani declares end to complacency after Bandari’s win over Mathare UnitedGenk secured their place into the Conference League quarterfinals after seeing off Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir 4-1 in an away fixture, thanks to a Gift Orban hattrick and a 37th minute goal from the aforementioned Hugo Cuypers.Joseph Okumu did feature in the said game, making his long awaited return from injury by coming off the bench for Jordan Torunarigha in the 66th minute of the game.KAA Genk are currently fifth on the Pro League table with 48 points.
