STARS ABROAD: Heartbreak for Sichenje, debut for Johana as Scriven is on target in Norway

Harambee Stars defender Collins Sichenje on Saturday 21 October was unavailable for his side - KuPS - as they suffered a massive heartbreak in the Finland Premier League, in that while they won on the day (2-1) against HJK, they ended up missing out on the Veikkausliiga title to the latter on the tiniest of margins; goal difference.

KuPS needed to outscore their opponents by at least three goals in the final Championship Group clash, but ended up watching the leaders celebrate their 33rd domestic title, with Sichenje's side (one he has spent the season on loan from Swedish club AIK) settling for a silver medal.

The only good news for KuPS however, was that by finishing runners-up, they effectively sealed a place into next season's UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.

Scriven scores in Norway

Harambee Stars striker Alfred Scriven was on target for his side - IL Hodd - as they drew 2-2 with Sogndal in a Round 27 game of the Norway 1st Division - OBOS Ligaen - played at the Høddvoll Stadion on Saturday afternoon.

The striker, who was recently called up for Harambee Stars’ recent meeting with Russia in the past week, scored the team’s second goal in the 72nd minute, coming shortly after they had gone behind courtesy of a Martin Andre Sjolstad goal in the 70th minute.

The visitors took the lead after 16 minutes through Joakim Berg, with Kjetil Holand equalizing in the 23rd minute to set up an interesting close to the game that saw the hosts settle for their eighth draw of the season.

For Scriven, Saturday’s goal was his third in five matches, and his eighth since the turn of the year for Hodd.

Duncan Otieno

Harambee Stars midfielder Duncan Otieno clocked 90 minutes as his side - Gaborone United - registered a huge 2-0 victory over VTM FC on Saturday afternoon..

The appearance for the former AFC Leopards man was the third time in a row that he was being involved in the team after recovering from a knee injury that kept him out for three months.

Gaborone, after three matches to kick off the 2023-24 season, are second in the Botswana League with seven points, two behind leaders Township Rollers who have a perfect record of all wins.

Vincent Harper

Newly called up member of the Harambee Stars squad Vincent Harper was in action for his club - Exeter City - as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat to visitors Wigan Athletic in an EFL League One fixture played at the St. James Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Kenyan, who received a yellow in the 32nd minute of the game, was substituted off after 83 minutes, marking his return to the side that he last appeared for on 7 October and in a 0-1 loss to Barnsley.

Exeter are 16th on the log with 16 points from the first 13 games.

Collins Okumu

Elsewhere in Malawi, Kenya’s Collins Okumu was on target for his side - Nyasa Big Bullets - as they emerged 2-0 victors over Chitipa United in the team’s third of four remaining home fixtures in the 2023 TNM Super League season played at the Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The former Thika United player scored the team’s opener after 12 minutes, before Lanjesi Nkhoma scored the second in the 22nd minute to give The People’s Team their 14th win of the season, and one that keeps them on top of the domestic table with 50 points from 23 matches.

Another Kenyan international - Clyde Senaji - was unavailable for this fixture after suffering a minor knock in his previous outing.

Eric Johana

Kenyan international Eric Johana Omondi on Friday 20 October night marked his debut for his new club - UTA Arad - plying its trade in the Romanian top tier league - Liga 1 - after coming off the substitutes bench to feature for 18 minutes in a 2-2 draw against FC Rapid Bucuresti.

His cameo was the first time the former Mathare United player was kicking a ball in a competitive fixture since 12 May 2023, when Omondi featured for Thai club Muang Thong FC.

Fixtures

Kenyan midfielder Eric Johana joins Romanian club

Sunday 22 October will see several Harambee Stars players playing in foreign leagues feature, with Joseph Okumu’s Reims facing Toulouse in a Round nine Ligue 1 clash at the Stadium de Toulouse from 1600 EAT.

Dazzling Kenyan midfielder Richard Odada will also be in action Sunday for his side - Aalborg BK - when they take on B 93 in a Danish first division fixture at the Aalborg Portland Park from 1600 EAT.

Kenyan left-back Erick Ouma will feature for Swedish side AIK Fotbol on Monday 23 October night from 2010 EAT, when they take on IF Elfsborg in a Allsvenskan Round 27 tie.

An appearance for him will be his 102nd match for the Stockholm-based club.

Stars Abroad Sunday fixtures

1600: (1.20) Aalborg (6.25) B 93 (11.0)

1600: (2.95) Toulouse (3.45) Reims (2.55)

Monday

2010: (1.75) Elfsborg (3.60) AIK (4.90)