Harambee Stars center-back Joseph Okumu played the full match as his club, Stade de Reims, had a disappointing start to the 2024/2025 French Ligue 1 season.Reims faced Lille at the Stade Auguste Delaune for their season opener, but the match ended in a 2-0 defeat, following a 30-minute delay due to an injury to Lille player Angel Gomes.The game was interrupted early on after a clash between Amadou Kone and Gomes. Medical teams attended to Gomes, who was subsequently evacuated, while Kone was sent off.##NAJAVA_MECA_8275730##Despite the early drama and playing a man down for most of the game, Kenyan international Okumu was exceptional, producing four clearances and blocking all six shots he faced.The towering defender further demonstrated his defensive prowess by winning four tackles, making two interceptions, and winning five out of six ground duels.After the initial delay, the match resumed, with Reims enduring most of the pressure. Mohammad Bayo challenged Emmanuel Agbadou, but a goal-line clearance by Yehvann Diouf kept the score at 0-0.However, the Reims defense eventually broke down just before halftime, allowing Bafode Dakite to score in the 45th minute, giving Lille a lead going into the break.STARS ABROAD: Full minutes for Vyner in Bristol City’s win as Oduor features for BradfordAfter the interval, Lille intensified their pressure, but Okumu and his teammates stood firm in defense.Osmane Sahraoui attempted a shot with his right foot, but Okumu blocked it.Reduced to ten men, Luka Elsner’s team struggled to push forward while Lille continued their offensive efforts.In added time, Jonathan David managed to double Lille’s lead after beating Yehvann Diouf on the line.The defeat leaves Reims sixteenth on the table with zero points after one game.Mark Shaban on why snubbing AFC Leopards for Gor Mahia was the best decisionElsewhere, in Romania, Erick Omondi played the entire 90 minutes and received a yellow card as his side, UTA Arad, fell 1-0 to FC Bostoni in a Romanian Premier League match on Saturday.Arad is now tenth in the standings after six matches, with six points.
