Kenya’s Okumu scores first goal as KAA Gent defeat KV Mechelen in Belgian league

Kenya international Joseph Okumu was on target as KAA Gent defeated KV Mechelen 1-0 in a Belgian Pro League fixture at Ghelamco Arena on Saturday.

The 24-year-old lanky defender powered home with a header in the 82nd minute to help the Buffalos pick a second straight victory, having won the last meeting 3-1 against Sporting Charleroi.

Okumu, who joined Gent from Swedish side IF Elfsborg, has explained his goal saying he has been training on many occasions to score from such opportunities and was happy it yielded maximum points for his side.

“We trained on stationary phases. Then it’s nice that it works in the game and results in a goal,” Okumu told the club’s official website after the game. “I am especially happy that we won, because KV Mechelen is a good team with a good organization.”

It was Gent, who started the game on a high and they should have taken the lead with only six minutes played when Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe combined well with Julien De Sart and from the resultant ball, they put through Tarik Tissoudali but from a one-on-one situation, his weak effort was put out by goalkeeper Gaetan Coucke.

1-0!!! (82') ONZE KENIAANSE STRIJDER BREEKT DE BAN!!!! JOSEPH OKUUUUUMUUUU!!!!