Harambee Stars centre back and assistant captain Joseph Okumu is a win away from lifting his first trophy in France.This is after his club, Stade de Reims, qualified for the French Cup final following their 2-1 win over fourth-tier side Cannes at the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium on Wednesday night.Consequently, Okumu and Reims will face defending champions and pre-match favourites Paris Saint-Germain in the final, set for Saturday 24 May.##NAJAVA_MECA_8823983##Okumu clocked the full 90 minutes in the game and played a significant role in helping his side to fend off pressure from the hosts, who pushed hard for the equalizer in the second half.Cannes came into the game hoping to become the first fourth-tier club to reach the final since Calais lost to Nantes in the 2000 showpiece.They, however, fell short despite putting in a spirited fight against the top-tier side that previously lifted the French Cup twice in the 1949/50 and 1957/58 seasons.Kenyan defender overlooked as Stellenbosch holds Zamalek in Confederation Cup actionReims took the lead in the 14th minute through the 19-year-old Nigerian winger Hafiz Ibrahim, with his goal separating the two sides at half time. Veteran midfielder Cheikh N’Doye leveled matters for Cannes in the 52nd minute, setting up a thrilling half, as both teams sought the winning goal.It was Reims who had the last laugh and the ticket to the final after getting the second goal courtesy of Malta midfielder Teddy Teuma.While Reims eliminated Cannes to reach the final, PSG rallied from two goals down to beat second-tier side Dunkerque on Tuesday.Shaphan Siwa shines in Tanzania, eyes survival and top-ten finish with Kagera SugarPSG have been bossing the French League One and are well on course to retain their title as well as clinch a record-extending 16th French Cup.Their biggest fear is the fact that Reims is the last team to frustrate them in the league, having forced the high spenders to a 1-1 draw in January.How much it will cost candidates to contest for Gor Mahia electoral positionsDespite playing for big clubs in Sweden and Belgium, Okumu, who is regarded as one of Kenya’s finest defenders in recent times, is yet to lay his hands on a major title.The towering centre-back, who has been on top of his game since moving to France in July 2023 from Belgian giants KAA Gent, will hope to lead his teammates in upsetting PSG and win their first title since 1991.
