Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu will be in action tonight in what will arguably be his biggest match in Europe when Belgian side KAA Gent comes up against English Premier League side West Ham in an Europa Conference League quarterfinal tie tonight. Nigerian Gift Orban scored a sensational hattrick as Gent saw off Istanbul Başakşehir 4-1 in the Round of 16 while West Ham eased past AEK Larnaca from Cyprus with a comfortable 4-0 win enroute to the quarterfinal. Okumu knows all too well that fixture against West Ham is important. Europa League: United host Sevilla without Rashford, but they “play best football with Martial””The match against West Ham is obviously important for us. We fought to get this far in this tournament and I hope we have a chance to qualify for the next round as well.” He is quoted by the club as saying. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7171552##The bookies believe West Ham stand a better chance in the tie but Okumu is confident his KAA Gent chance can prevail against the EPL side and qualify for the next round. “I think the only advantage they (West Ham) have is they play in a league that is higher ranked than the Belgian league but we (KAA Gent) are professionals and can match up to any team.” The former Chemelil Sugar FC defender said. According to UEFA statistics, Okumu has been one of the best defenders in the Europa Conference League so far this season with a pass completion rate of 80.43%, 51 balls recovered (an average of 7.29 per game), and 7 tackles (1 per game). Meanwhile tickets for the game set to be played at the Ghelamco Arena from 1945 EAT are sold out. 20,000 fans are expected to fill the venue and set up and electric atmosphere for a fantastic night of European football.##EDITORS_CHOICE## UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUEQuarter-final, first legThursday19:45: (3.50) Gent (3.50) West Ham (2.20)22:00: (4.10) Lech Poznan (3.50) Fiorentina (1.92)22:00: (2.85) Anderlecht (3.40) AZ Alkmaar (2.60)22:00: (3.70) Basel (3.50) Nice (2.15)***odds are subject to change***
