Stars Abroad: Ouma features in Conference League win as Akumu scores for Köln
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 24.07.26. | 09:03
Ouma was introduced in the second half as Raków overturned a first-half deficit to beat Maltese side Valletta 3-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie at the Miejski Stadion Piłkarski Raków in Częstochowa
Harambee Stars defender Eric Marcelo Ouma featured in Europe as Raków Częstochowa staged an impressive comeback to claim victory in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers, while Kenyan prospect Maik Nelson Afri Akumu continued his rise by finding the net for Bundesliga club FC Köln in a pre-season friendly.
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Ouma was introduced in the second half as Raków overturned a first-half deficit to beat Maltese side Valletta 3-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie at the Miejski Stadion Piłkarski Raków in Częstochowa.
The Polish outfit found themselves behind in the 23rd minute after Argentine defender Manuel Morello gave Valletta a surprise lead, with the visitors carrying their advantage into the halftime break.
Raków emerged from the restart with renewed purpose and restored parity in the 53rd minute through Mahir Emreli before head coach Dawid Kroczek introduced Ouma in the 72nd minute in place of Michael Ameyaw as the hosts searched for a winner.
Valletta were handed a golden chance to reclaim the lead moments later, but Petar Sekulovic failed to convert from the penalty spot, a miss that proved costly.
Raków capitalized on that reprieve six minutes later when Patryk Makuch finished off a Tomasz Pękala cross to put the home side ahead before turning provider for Stratos Svarnas, who wrapped up the victory with a stoppage-time goal.
The two teams will meet again in the return leg on July 29, with Raków carrying a healthy advantage into the decisive fixture.
Meanwhile in Germany, teenage Kenya prospect Afri Akumu was among the standout performers as FC Köln cruised to an emphatic 8-0 victory over Bergisch Gladbach in a pre-season friendly.
Akumu was introduced in the 30th minute for Ragnar Ache, the only substitution made by Köln during the match, and capped an impressive outing by scoring his side's eighth goal in the 80th minute.
The young forward, who has spent much of his time with the club's reserve side, continues to stake a strong claim for promotion to the senior squad ahead of the new Bundesliga campaign.