Harambee Stars Vice Captain Joseph Okumu has been suspended for two matches in the French Ligue 1 and will be among the players who will miss matches this weekend.Okumu’s two-match suspension is a result of the red card that he received in the last league match between his team, Stade de Reims and Nantes.Health issues force former AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia forward to retire at 30A communication by the league’s Disciplinary Committee after a meeting on Wednesday 5 February, confirmed the suspension period of various players including the Kenya international.Okumu was red-carded in the 94th minute of his side’s 2-1 loss for dissent. He appeared not to have measured his words after receiving a yellow card leaving French referee Benoit Millot with no choice but to send him off.##NAJAVA_MECA_8692815##In the match that was played on Sunday 2 February at the Stade Auguste-Delaune (Reims), Mattis Abline gave Nantes the lead in the 42nd minute but Reims equalized in the first minute of first-half added time courtesy of an own goal by Jean-Charles Castelle to ensure a draw at half time.In the second half, Abline turned into provider by assisting Egyptian forward Mostafa Mohamed to score the winner for the visitors in the 70th minute.Harambee Stars prospect returns to Leicester CityThe loss left Okumu’s Reims at position 13 with 22 points, while Nantes are 14th with 22 points in the 18-team league table.Okumu’s suspension is a blow to Reims who will have to put up with a make-shift central defense as Okumu’s long-time partner, Ivorian Emmanuel Agbadou joined English side Wolves in the January transfer window.##NAJAVA_MECA_8692782##The former Chemelil Sugar defender on the other hand will be disappointed to miss the two matches as he was just finding his form and rhythm back after shaking off a niggly injury that has kept him on and off the sidelines.The 27-year-old will miss the away match against 16th-placed St. Etienne on Saturday 9 February and the home tie against fourth-placed Lille on Sunday 16 February.
