Kenyan International Joseph Okumu started his fourteenth game with Stade de Reims as he starred in defense as they played out a barren draw against FC Nantes in a French Ligue 1 encounter on Sunday at Stade Auguste-Delaune II.It was the first match back at home for Reims after over a month and the Delaune-based team produced a solid performance to ensure a share of the spoils against an equally impressive Nantes side despite missing several big opportunities in the first stanza.##NAJAVA_MECA_7828762##The red and white (Reims) had a chance to go ahead after just five minutes following a freekick won by Teddy Teuma but his subsequent kick skimmed over the bar after Mohammed Daramy had tried to direct it into goal. Emmanuel Agbadou thought he had got an opener for Reims but watched in disbelief as his header from a corner sailed just above the crossbar.As the first half progressed the game opened up with both teams engaging in more frequent attacks but Reims had the defensive partnership of Okumu and Agbadou to thank for their resilience at the back that kept them in the game.Nantes had a chance to kill the game in the 73rd minute when Therence Koudou’s foul had them awarded a spot kick but Zimbabwean international Tino Kadewere saw his penalty saved by Yehvann Diouf to keep the scores level.AFCON2023: Senegal, Ivory Coast match up highlights Monday actionThe draw left Reims sixth on the Ligue 1 standings with 30 points from 19 games, four points off the Champions League places. For Okumu, it was his 5th clean sheet with the team having made 15 appearances with 14 of them as a starter.Harper returns in Exeter win Harambee Stars left-back Vincent Harper returned to Exeter’s starting lineup as they overcame Barnsley 2-1 in an EFL League One clash on Saturday at Oakwell Stadium to end their nine-game unbeaten run.The left-back was replaced by Alex Hartridge in the 64th minute due to an injury with Exeter leading 2-0.Jack Aitchison and Reece Cole both netted first-half goals for their side, while Mael de Givigney scored a late header for the Tykes.64 | How’s your injury luck… 😫Harper takes a knock and will have to be replaced. Well played, Vinnie 👏⬅️ Harper➡️ HartridgeBAR 0️⃣-2️⃣ #ECFC#SemperFidelis pic.twitter.com/z7FwVTe7qW— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) January 27, 2024
