Kenyan international and Stade de Reims defender Joseph Okumu has been shortlisted for the club’s Player of the Month award for March, following a series of solid performances in Ligue 1.Okumu played a pivotal role in helping Reims cap off the month with a commanding 3-1 victory over title contenders Olympique Marseille on Sunday, March 30.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More News!!!The towering center-back has now been included in a list of 18 players vying for the monthly accolade, with his defensive partners Yevhan Diouf, Sergio Akieme, Aurélio Buta, and Cédric Kipré also in contention.3 points qui font du bien ! 🔴⚪️🔥#SDROM #TeamSDR pic.twitter.com/2MayczZTIS— Stade de Reims (@StadeDeReims) March 29, 2025 Reims, coached by Samba Diawara, had a mixed run in March, recording one win, one draw, and one defeat in their three league fixtures.They started the month with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Auxerre on Sunday, 9 March, before bouncing back a week later with a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Brest.##NAJAVA_MECA_8823572##Okumu was instrumental in securing a crucial point away from home, showing composure and resilience in defense.The Harambee Stars defender stood out in the thrilling victory over Marseille, making a season-best 14 clearances and a key interception to deny the opposition.His defensive heroics were even more impressive considering Marseille delivered 50 crosses in the game.Okumu will be crucial again when Reims face Strasbourg on Sunday, as they continue their battle to climb the Ligue 1 standings.Kisumu All Stars players storm County Offices over unpaid duesHis nomination comes just after he was absent from the Harambee Stars’ squad for the recent international break, where Kenya faced The Gambia and Gabon.Head coach Benni McCarthy attributed Okumu’s absence to a miscommunication between the player, his club, and the national team staff.“There was just a misunderstanding between the manager, Stanley [Okumu], and the club, so he is not here,” McCarthy clarified.“My concern is not about the players who are not here. I want to focus on those who showed up, those who are ready to fight for their country,” he added.FIFA steps in as match-fixing allegations against Patrick Matasi take a new turnOkumu joined Stade Reims in July 2023 from Belgian side KAA Gent, signing a five-year contract with the six-time French champions.Since his arrival, he has established himself as a key figure in the Reims defense, forming a formidable partnership at the back.##NAJAVA_MECA_8823517##Before his move to Europe, Okumu had stints with Chemelil Sugar, Free State Stars in South Africa, and Real Mornachs and Ann Arbor in the US.His steady rise through the ranks has seen him become one of Kenya’s most reliable defenders on the international stage, even stepping up as a leader in the absence of captain Michael Olunga.
