Kenyan international and Stade Reims defender Joseph Okumu has been nominated for the club’s Player of the Month award for March.

Okumu’s nomination comes after he helped the team cap off the month with a convincing 3-1 victory against the league contender, Olympique Marseille on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

The towering centre-back secured his place in a long list of 18 players whom he will battle against for the ultimate pick for March.

The list is dominated by Okumu’s defensive line partners including keeper Yevhvann Diouf, Sergio Akeime, Aurelio Buta from Portugal and Cedric KIpre from the Ivory Coast.

Reims’ March run-in

In the month, the six-time French champions, coached by Samba Diawara, registered a win, a draw and one defeat in the three league ties.

Reims and Okumu kicked off the month on a wrong-footing slumping to a 2-0 defeat to Auxerre on Sunday, March 9.

The Kenyan centre-back helped his team to a barren draw against Brest on enemy territory a week later as Reims claimed a crucial point against the superiorly ranked team.

Okumu was among the standout performers in the weekend league tie against Marseille that had Reims edge the title-chasing Roberto De Zerbi’s team.

Okumu vs Marseille

The former South Africa-based star recorded 14 clearances and one interception in the clash.

Additionally, according to Rotowire, Okumu had a very active performance in central defence setting a new season record for clearances with his 14 clearances in back-to-back matches following his appearance against Brest. This impressive total was somewhat unsurprising, considering Marseille attempted 50 crosses during the game.

The defender will again lead his backline on Sunday against Strasbourg, aiming to secure more points in the relegation race.

Okumu’s recognition comes after he conspicuously missed Kenyan clashes for the just concluded Harambee Stars international duty against The Gambia and Gabon.

He ranks among the high-ranking member of the Kenyan national team set-up and has in recent past assumed leadership responsibility of the team in the absence of Michael Olunga.

Coach Benni McCarthy however revealed his failure to show up was due to a misunderstanding with the club.

“There was just a misunderstanding with the manager and Stanley [Okumu] and the club, so he is not here.”McCarty stated.

“My concern is not with the players not here. I want to focus on being positive with the players that are here, those that did turn up and are ready to fight for the country, and ready to fight for everything,” McCarthy said as quoted by a local publication