Harambee Stars have been handed a major boost ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Cameroon following the return to the matchday squad of key defender Joseph Okumu. The Kenya assistant captain had missed the last three games of his club, Reims, in France due to an abductor injury and had become a major doubt for the away game against Cameroon on Friday 11 October, as well as the return leg set to be played in Uganda on Monday, 14 October.##NAJAVA_MECA_8388905##Okumu had sat out Reims’ last three games, but on Sunday 6 October night, he made a comeback to the team in their 4-2 win over Montpellier Hérault Sport Club. Although he did not make an appearance, it was positive news and an indicator that he was ready for action soon. Last week, head coach Luka Elsner confirmed that the former Chemelil Sugar FC player had resumed training and could be available for action on Sunday.“Joseph Okumu is back in full training at the moment. The signals are green, so he will probably be available,” said Elsner.Marshall Munetsi, Keito Nakamura, Oumar Diakite, and Teddy Teuma found the back of the net for Reims on Sunday evening, while Arnaud Nordin’s double served as consolation for the visitors. Okumu and the rest of the foreign legion are expected to join the local players who entered camp last week today in readiness for the crunch games against Cameroon.Kenya tops Group J with four points, the same as Cameroon, who have scored one goal less than Kenya. The top two teams in the group will qualify for next year’s AFCON, which will be staged in Morocco.Stars Abroad: Sichenje features in Vojvodina’s big win as Ouma suffers rout in SwedenProvisional SquadGoalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Richards Bay FC), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Omondi (Bandari)Defenders: Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg), Amos Nondi (Ararat), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Johnstone Omurwa (Abha), Collins Sichenje (Vojvodina), Joseph Okumu (Reims), Geoffrey Ochieng (Gor Mahia), Eric Ouma (Rakow)Midfielders: David Odoyo (Tusker), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker), Richard Odada (Dundee United), John Ochieng (Zanaco), Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars)Forwards: John Avire (El Sekka El Hadid), Michael Olunga (Duhail-Oman), Jonah Ayunga (St. Mirren-Scotland), Adam Wilson (New Saints), Sydney Lokale (AFC Leopards), Alfred Scriven (Bryne FK)##EDITORS_CHOICE##
