Joseph Okumu’s stay in the French top tier (Ligue 1) will boil down to a crucial decider after his side – Stade de Reims – settled for a 1-1 draw with FC Metz in the first-leg of the relegation playoffs on Wednesday 21 May.Harambee Stars vice-captain Okumu featured for 90 minutes in the game played at the Stade Saint-Symphorien, but could not help his side take an advantage back home in time for the second-leg.⏱️ 90+5′ 1️⃣-1️⃣🏁 C’est terminé ! Nos Rémois décrochent le nul dans ce match aller. Tout se jouera à 𝘋𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘶𝘯𝘦, jeudi prochain ⚔️#FCMSDR #GoSDR pic.twitter.com/VTExzk7EvV— Stade de Reims (@StadeDeReims) May 21, 2025 FC Metz, who finished third in Ligue 2 behind Paris FC and Lorient, took the lead in the 38th minute through Matthieu Udol, but were pegged back by Ivorian defender Cedric Kipre, just seven minutes after the break.Okumu’s partner in defense rose highest to head in an excellent free kick from Sergio Akiem, making sure that both sides engaged in a frenetic finale, which could ultimately not produce a winner.Government issue update on Talanta City Stadium construction [PHOTOS]Okumu, thanks to his impressive shift, was given a 7.6 rating, only behind goal-scorer Kipre, who had a 8.1 score.Reims will now put a keen eye on the second-leg scheduled for Thursday 29 May at Stade Auguste Delaune, where a place in the top-tier will be on the line.##NAJAVA_MECA_8939454##Samba Diawara’s men will be hoping to avoid relegation from the top flight for the first time since being promoted in 2018, after finishing 16th in Ligue 1.Metz, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back to Ligue 1 after they were relegated last season after losing their play-off to Saint-Etienne.Sichenje survives ‘pyro bomb’ but loses Serbian Cup finalWhile that ‘final battle for survival’ will take much focus, Okumu could win his first trophy with Reims on Saturday 24 May, when his side takes on PSG in the Coupe de France final at Stade de France.The cup final kicks off at 2200 EAT.
