Kenyan International Timothy ‘Babu’ Ouma will play in the group stage of UEFA Europa League after his Swedish side IF Elfsborg saw off Norwegian side Molde FK in a match played on the night of Thursday, 29th August.IF Elfsborg came into the second leg of the match on the back of a 1-0 away victory but could not capitalize on their home advantage and equally lost 1-0 on regular time forcing the match to be decided on post match penalties.The Swedish side overcame their Norwegian counterparts 4-2 on post match penalties to advance to the group stage after a 10 year hiatus.As Babu Owino prepares to play in the group stage of Europe’s second best competition, Mozzart Sport looks at other Kenyans who have played in the group stage of UEFA Club Competitions; Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.STARS ABROAD: Timothy Ouma, Adam Wilson land exciting UEFA Europa/Conference League tiesDennis OliechArguably the best striker in Kenyan history, Oliech got a chance to play in Europe’s best club competition and brushed shoulders with the best of the best in world football like the legendary Ronaldinho Gaucho.In the 2010/2011 season while turning out for French side AJ Auxerre, the former Mathare United striker played five matches in the Champions League.He was sent off after receiving a second yellow card in a 2-1 loss against Ajax on Matchday 3.##NAJAVA_MECA_8305154##Joseph OkumuKenyan towering defender Okumu popularly known as Crouch for his height is also one of the few Kenyans to have featured in the group stage of UEFA competitions.Okumu who signed for Belgian Side KAA Gent in June 2022 featured in the group stages of the UEFA Conference League in 2022/2023 season and made 9 appearances in total.This is after he featured twice in the UEFA Europa League but failed to reach the group stage with his side.Okumu also became the fifth Kenyan to feature in Europe’s top five leagues when he moved to his current station, French side Reims.Okumu’s Genk to play West Ham in Conference League quarter finalsMcDonald MarigaMariga is Kenya’s most successful footballer and a man of many firsts.He became the first Kenyan to play in the UEFA Champions League when he made his debut in the competition on 16th March for his Italian side Inter Milan.He is also the first and only Kenyan to win the UEFA Champions League when he won it in 2009/2010 season with Inter Milan, a season in which they won the Italian Serie A and the Coppa Italia to complete a historic trebleThe former Kibra parliamentary aspirant also went ahead to win the FIFA Club World Cup in 2010.Victor Mugubi WanyamaThe MLS side CF Montreal midfielder has the most appearances in the UEFA Competitions among Kenyans having featured over 30 times.Wanyama played in the UEFA Champions League for two different teams, Scottish side Celtic FC and English side Tottenham Hotspurs.7th November 2012, Celtic beat Barcelona 2:1 in the Champions League. Wanyama and Watt with the goals on an incredible night at Celtic Park. @VictorWanyama @32watto pic.twitter.com/I01qnWiIhx— Li’l Ze (@LilZe785) November 7, 2023 Wanyama made his first UEFA appearance in September 2011 when he started in Celtic’s 1-1 draw against Italian side Udinese in the Europa League.His powerful header for Celtic in their 2-1 win against Barcelona in November 2012 in the UEFA Champions League made him the first Kenyan to score in the competition.The former Harambee Stars captain almost followed in the footsteps of his elder brother, McDonald Mariga to win the UEFA Champions League.His then side, Tottenham Hotspurs, lost to Liverpool in the 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League Final at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.Adam Ayiro WilsonThe 24-year-old Kenyan prodigy plays as a winger for Wales side New Saints on loan from EFL League two side Bradford City.Wilson whose one parent is a Kenyan will play in the group stage of the UEFA Conference League this season after his side qualified.Our opponents in the league phase of the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League have been confirmed!#UECL | @europacnfleague pic.twitter.com/d6VEpWi5hK— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) August 30, 2024 New Saints will battle it out with Italian side Fiorentina, Swedish side Djurgardens which a former home to Michael Olunga and Frank Odhiambo, Astana, Shamrock Rovers, Panathinaikos and NK Celje of Slovenia.Some of the Kenyans who featured in the preliminary stages of the UEFA Conpetitions even though did not reach the group stage include; George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo, Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma, Henry Meja and Collins Sichenje.Others are Daniel Anyembe and Linton Maina.Babu will now join the Exclusive club of Kenyans who have played in the group stage of the much coveted UEFA competitions.
