Harambee Stars’ Okumu in bid to help French club retain Ligue 1 status

By , May 22, 2025

Harambee Stars and Stade Reims’ defender Joseph Okumu are faced with a battle of retaining their French Ligue One status after settling to a 1-1 draw in the promotion-relegation play-off match staged on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in France.

A tough outing in the 2024/25 campaign that ended with Reims finishing at 16th had the team contending with the end-of-season survival dogfight.

Okumu featured for the full 90 minutes as The Reds held FC Metz in the first leg of the meeting of the decisive play-off.

Matthieu Udol’s 38th-minute strike stormed Metz to a vital lead, his goal coming moments after Okumu almost scored from a set-piece attempt.

Fight back

Despite heading to the break a goal down, Samba Diawara’s team valiantly fought back in the game through Ivorian defender Cedric Kipre’s 54th minute.

The team now shifts focus to the high-stakes return leg, which will be played on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Reims will be boosted by playing the decisive leg on their Stade Auguste Delaune with the support of their fans.

Cup final on cards

The six-time champions, however, have to make do with divided attention with a cup final coming up on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

 The reigning league champions, Paris Saint-Germain, are next in Reims’ case with a crucial Coupe de France finals clash.

Victory will not only secure Okumu his maiden trophy in the French top-tier, but also prove crucial for the decisive second-leg play-off meeting against Metz.

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