Joseph Okumu featured in the French Cup final against PSG but could not help Reims get the better of them, while Erick 'Marcelo' Ouma also suffered heartbreak in Poland.
Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu endured a tough night as Stade de Reims were swept aside 3-0 by a ruthless Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France final on Saturday night.
Playing at a packed Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Okumu started in central defense for Reims but was powerless to prevent PSG’s attacking trio from tearing through their backline in the first half.
Bradley Barcola delivered a standout performance, scoring twice, while Achraf Hakimi added a third before the interval, effectively sealing the Parisians’ 16th French Cup title before halftime.
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Barcola opened the scoring in the 16th minute after latching onto a clever pass from Desire Doue and calmly finishing past Yehvann Diouf.
Just three minutes later, he added his second, tapping in from close range following another Doue assist. Hakimi completed the first-half demolition with a well-taken volley in the 43rd minute from Barcola’s cross.
Although Reims tightened up after the break and limited further damage, the mountain was already too steep to climb.
PSG coasted through the second half, showing their class and depth, as they completed a domestic treble for the second consecutive season.
Okumu, who has been a key figure for Reims this season, will now shift focus to a far more consequential challenge. Reims are set to face Metz in the decisive second leg of the Ligue 1 Promotion/Relegation Playoff on Thursday. The tie is delicately poised at 1-1 following last week’s draw in the first leg, and survival in the French top-flight remains in the balance.
Elsewhere in Europe, another Kenyan international, Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma, narrowly missed out on league glory in Poland.
Erick Marcelo Ouma Misses Out on League Title in Poland
Harambee Stars Defender Erick 'Marcelo' Ouma misses out on the Polish League title
His club, Raków Częstochowa, finished just one point behind champions Lech Poznań despite a 2-1 final day win over Widzew Łódź. Ouma came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute but could do little to prevent Lech from securing the title with a 1-0 victory in their own match.
Masoud Juma Leads Esteghlal to Hafzi Cup Final
Masoud Juma Leads Iranian Club to Cup final in Iran
Masoud Juma faces uncertainity at Irianian club Esteghlal. Photo: Esteghlal
Meanwhile in Iran, Masud Juma was on the scoresheet for Esteghlal FC in their Hafzi Cup semifinal clash against Sanat Naft at the Azadi Stadium.
The Kenya star doubled his side’s lead in the 57th minute, sealing a 2-0 victory and securing a place in the final. He was withdrawn shortly after scoring, with head coach Reza Enayati opting for a tactical shift to preserve the advantage. Esteghlal will now face Malavan in the final on Thursday, May 29.
With Juma chasing cup glory, Okumu fighting for Ligue 1 survival, and Ouma narrowly missing out on a league title, it’s been a dramatic week for Harambee Stars players abroad – one filled with highs, lows, and everything in between.