Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu has opened up on a decision that he made that then unlocked a successful career that has taken him to Ligue 1, his current station.Okumu, who currently turns out for Ligue 1 side Reims, has had a successful career that can be traced from Kakamega High School, to the sugar plantations in Chemelil Sugar with several stop overs before reaching French Ligue 1, one of Europe’s top five leagues.In an exclusive interview with GiveMeSport on behalf of Ligue 1, the Harambee Stars Vice captain gave an in-depth discussion on his career and covered a wide range of issues including the decision to move to the USA which he says unlocked his journey to the summit.Exclusive interview with Reims defender Joseph Okumu 🚨🐺 Praise for new Wolves signing Agbadou🤩 Enjoying life at Reims🇺🇸 Earning his stripes in the United States🇰🇪 Growing up in Kenya#Reims #WWFC✍️ | @GiveMeSport https://t.co/70vhPivSZp— Danny Rust (@Danny_Rust10) January 28, 2025 “Moving to the United States was a huge shift for me after coming straight from Africa. It was a different culture and environment, but I thank God because everything panned out okay. I had a decent stay in the United States and enjoyed my time there,” said Okumu.Okumu played for AFC Ann Arbor and USL Championship side Real Monarchs before moving to Swedish side IF Elfsborg. The 27-year-old also acknowledged the role of Kakamega High School in his career while also appreciating the difficulty and the challenges of playing in Kenya for shaping the kind of player that he is.“Playing football in Kenya is a difficult situation to be in but, when you’re growing up, you don’t think it is a difficult situation. It’s just the norm, so you take pleasure in everything. I was fortunate enough to go to a footballing school as well, so they supported our talents and gave us the platform to express ourselves. I think that played a key role in enabling me to be where I am now,” he added.##NAJAVA_MECA_8666894##The former Free State Stars defender has had his fair share of struggles with injuries which he has since shaken off.“This season has had ups and downs on a personal level, but I managed it well after dealing with some difficult situations and injuries. I have been back in action, which is pleasing.”Reims started the season slowly and now find themselves in position 12 with 22 points but Okumu are confident that they will make it to European standards.“It was not a good start to the new year, but I still think we have the quality and ability to turn things around and be able to finish in a good position to qualify for a European competition. Qualifying for Europe is the objective for the club and for me as well. It is interesting to play at one of the highest levels.”Viborg rejects bid for 174 million-valued Harambee Stars defenderThe Kenyan international also praised Reims Manager, 42-year-old Luka Elsnar and the tactical prowess in his possession.“It has been interesting playing under the head coach,” admitted the Kenya international. “There has been a shift from playing three at the back to two central defenders, but it has been quite an easy transition for me. He pushes us to the limit as well, which will help to bring the best out of us,” he noted.The former FC Gent Striker also praised the level of football in Ligue 1.“Ligue 1 is quite an intense division, with very athletic players. I think that was one of the big shifts from the Jupiler Pro League, but the structure and culture is very similar to what I experienced in Belgium. It has been so far so good during my time at Reims. It’s a calm city and there is a good environment around the club as well,” he remarked.On the same note, the Chemelil-born player also appreciated the team’s faithful for their continued support.”We have a great fan base. They were a little bit down after losing our first game of 2025, but we are hoping to turn things around in the remainder of the season and make them happy,” he stated.Mara Sugar celebrate Mathias Isogol’s two milestones as he departs clubFurther, the former Real Monarchs defender who made his senior international debut in 2016 also described the feeling thereafter.“It was a big achievement for me to make my debut for Kenya because one of my career goals was to represent my country,” he acknowledged. With Kenya already qualified for 2027 AFCON as one of the co-hosts, Okumu expects to be in the squad and help the country to reach as far as possible.”I made my first appearance when I was still at a young age, but then I was out of the team for almost three years. The fact I am now playing regularly and making the whole nation proud by representing them makes me happy.”Reims next match will be against Strasbourg on Sunday 2 February 2025.
