Joseph Okumu: Harambee Stars Defender Relegated to Ligue 2 with Reims
- Joseph Okumu's Stade de Reims will play in the second division of French football next season after Metz beat them in the playoffs
- Metz scored two goals in extra time to secure an immediate return to Ligue 1 after being relegated via the playoffs last season
- Okumu's long-term future at the club is now in doubt, with the Harambee Stars assistant captain one of the players who could leave
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Joseph Okumu suffered relegation from Ligue 1 after his Reims side suffered a 3-1 defeat (4-1 on aggregate) to Metz in the relegation-promotion playoffs on Thursday evening.
Source: Getty Images
How Reims suffered relegation to Ligue 2
It is the end of the road for Reims, who have led a disappointing campaign in the French top-flight this season.
Reims finished 16th in the 18-team league, which often requires a double-legged playoff with the team that came through from the Ligue 2 playoffs.
The first leg away at Metz ended in a one-all draw last week after Cedric Kipre cancelled out Matthieu Udol's strike before half-time.
In the second leg at Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, the hosts started the better of the two sides, with Okumu named in the starting XI.
However, they couldn't make any of their numerous chances stick until the 57th minute when Ange Tia rifled a beautiful shot past Pape Sy in the Metz goal.
Tia's goal appeared to awaken the visitors, who grew into the game. Their incessant pressure paid off when Udol scored in successive games to level the game and force extra time.
Reims were arguably the better team in extra time but conceded twice against the run of play to cede their place in Ligue 1.
It started with a beautiful team goal from Metz, finished off by Alpha Toure after a brilliant backheel from Gauthier Hein.
Thereafter, as Reims desperately looked for an equaliser on the other end, the ball fell kindly to Hein, who lobbed the Reims goalkeeper from way out to put the tie to bed.
The loss came just a few days after they had suffered another crushing defeat when French giants Paris Saint-Germain beat them 3-0 in the Coupe de France final.
Source: Getty Images
The club was understandably upset after the final whistle, which brought their seven-year stay in Ligue 1 to an end.
"The disappointment is great, the pain immense, and the setback very real. From these feelings and the lessons learned from this failure must emerge an infinite source of energy to get back on our feet without delay," read a statement from the club.
"People of Reims, we extend a thank you as sincere as your loyalty. This unwavering support throughout the season deserves Ligue 1: we will return for you."
What next for Joseph Okumu?
Okumu will now have to find another club if he wants to continue playing top-flight football. His current contract expires in 2028.
The towering defender has featured 28 times across all competitions this season and has been previously linked with a move to Serie A.
Michael Olunga leaves Al Duhail
At the same time, Michael Olunga announced his exit from Al Duhail after four successful years.
The Harambee Stars captain leaves the Qatari giants as their all-time top scorer after finding the back of the net 130 times.
At just 31 years of age, the former Gor Mahia man is poised to land at a new club ahead of next season.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
