Kenyan International defender Joseph Okumu was in action on Saturday as his parent club – KAA Gent – brought their pre-season training camp in Alkmaar to a close with a 2-1 victory over Dutch top-tier side FC Volendam.Okumu, who was making his third pre-season appearance in a week, featured for 76 minutes before making way for teammate Brian Agbor.FT 1-2 | Ideale afsluiter van #StageAlkmaar 🔜 terug richting Gent 🚌 #volgnt pic.twitter.com/afLXol6wPR— KAA Gent (@KAAGent) July 15, 2023 The former Chemelil Sugar man was involved in the team’s 2-1 defeat to Croatian side NK Maribor last weekend – when he made his return from injury – and was also in the team that saw off FC Utrecht in a friendly match on Wednesday evening.The first goal came in the 21st minute as after surrendering a big chance to the (hosts), which was missed, Malick Fofana served Hugo Cuypers to score with a header.After a few missed chances, the Belgian club doubled the lead just a minute to the break as Andrew Hjulsager capitalized an opportunity from a corner kick, hitting a low shot into the corner and past the keeper.##NAJAVA_MECA_7373774##The second half was all different as Gent gave opportunity to their youngsters, with Volendam scoring a consolation in the 87th minute through a Ezechiel Fiemawhle shot past substitute goalkeeper Paul Nardi.The match comes a day after Okumu, alongside Julien De Sart, Hugo Cuypers, and Tarik Tissoudali was named the club’s vice captain, with the four deputizing team skipper Sven Kums.It is highly expected though, that the Kenyan will attract more attention from French Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims as they continue to chase his signature and services.Unstoppable: Okutoyi wins Doubles title in MonastirOn Thursday, the club announced the capture of Moroccan defender Ismaël Kandouss from another Belgian outfit Union Saint-Gilloise.The arrival of the 25-year-old central defender at Gent seems to clear a hurdle for Okumu’s move to France, with Gent focused on bringing in a replacement before letting him leave.Meanwhile, in Malawi, Kenyan Clyde Senaji was sidelined with a stress fracture in his right foot as his side – Nyasa Big Bullets – made a comeback to draw 2-2 at the Kamuzu Stadium against Dedza Dynamos.Saturday afternoon’s match report as Bullets dropped points following a 2-2 draw with Dedza Dynamos at Kamuzu Stadium.https://t.co/fzNVbxhuA1— FCB Nyasa Big Bullets (@nyasabigbullets) July 15, 2023 The People’s team after 13 games are still top of the TNM Super League standings with 26 points.
