Kenyan striker Henry Meja was on target but the goal was not enough as his side AFC Eskilstuna went down 3-1 to UMEA in a Swedish third tier played at the Energi Arena on Sunday afternoon.Meja was named in the first eleven by coach Melke Alan and repaid the faith by breaking the deadlock in the 38th minute.The goal separated the two sides at the halftime mark, but the visitors could not cling on it for long, as they conceded the equalizer in the 64th minute.##NAJAVA_MECA_8173679##Kerfala Cissoko leveled matters for UMEA canceling Meja’s goal, and would go on to seal his brace in the encounter after finding the back of the net in the 82nd minute.William Andreas Holfvander netted the third goal in the 86th minute putting off Eskilstuna’ hopes of salvaging at least a point from the encounter.Stars Abroad: Henry Meja scores first goal for AFC Eskilstuna as Frank Odhiambo comes off the benchWhile Meja scored and remained on the pitch up to the final whistle, his teammate and compatriot Frank Odhiambo wasn’t involved in the game. The two Kenyan players joined Eskilstuna before the start of the season to gather more playing time and for their development. Meja was loaned out by AIK, who are also home to another Kenyan Collins Sichenje, while Odhiambo is attached to Djurgardens.Meja joined AIK in September 2021 from Tusker on the back of winning the league with the brewers and clinching the Young Player of the Season.Unlike Odhiambo, Meja has top flight experience in Sweden and will hope to return to his parent club a more refined player.Gor Mahia crowned 2023-24 FKF Premier League championsOdhiambo on the other hand, joined Djurgardens in 2022 from Gor Mahia. Before his move, he had won the Mozzart Bet Cup with K’Ogalo.Despite their impressive form on Kenyan soils and several Harambee Stars call ups between them, the duo has had to contend with loan deals in Sweden. The loss away to UMEA leaves Eskilstuna in danger of being relegated to the fourth tier as the team is two slots above the last slot.
