Former Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno is proud of how Joseph Okumu has turned out and has predicted even better things for the KAA Gent defender.Okumu, became just one of two Kenyan players to feature against an English side during Wednesday’s Europa league clash against West Ham United which ended in a 1-1 tie.Okumu puts up decent performance in historic quarters appearance against West HamSpeaking on Okumu’s performance, the former Kenyan captain said, his rise is a big plus for other local players and a big motivation for them to dream big.In 2016, it is believed that it is Otieno who invited the then Chemelil Sugar defender to South Africa to try out with Free State Stars.“By then, I had just taken over as Harambee Stars assistant coach and after watching him once, I convinced Free State to try him out. Unfortunately, he was hit by many injuries and they were not patient with him.However, I am impressed by how he has come out of that and now he is playing at a bigger level in Europe. It shows how disciplined and focused he is and it can only get better for him,” Otieno offered.##NAJAVA_MECA_7180486##With Okumu, Brian Mandela and Joash Onyango available for selection to the national team, Otieno believes Harambee Stars have a bright future.“It is not like our days when the pool of players playing professional was limited. Now we have a crop of young players who will at any one time give the coach many options,” he added.After Okumu’s failed move to South Africa, he moved to the United States of America (USA) featuring briefly for AFC Ann Arbor. He then joined another US side Real Monarchs.At @moscakenya we’re proud of Kenya international defender Joseph Okumu for his performance last night in UEFA Europa Conference League quarters between his Belgian club Gent & #EPL side West Ham. Its 1-1 ahead of the return leg in London. Cheering on Okumu to semis #TalantaHela pic.twitter.com/YDe4fAZAXD— Hon Ababu-Namwamba, EGH🇰🇪 (@AbabuNamwamba) April 14, 2023 In 2019, he moved to Swedish side IF Elfsborg where he made 34 appearances before scouts from Belgium side Gent came calling.At the international level, Okumu started with the under-23 side and has so far made nine appearances for the senior Harambee Stars.
