Kenyan stars flourish in foreign leagues
Barry Silah @obel_barry
Kenyan footballers abroad saw plenty of action at the weekend especially in Europe.
In Sweden, on-form Eric Johana was influential for Jönköpings Sodra as they won 3-0 over AFC Eskilstuna in the second tier Superettan league. The win pushes Sodra to third on the log with 29 points off 16 matches.
Johana was on the pitch for 85 minutes during which he contributed to the goals scored.
Over in England, Kenyan star Clarke Oduor managed 45 minutes as Barnsley beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 to make it to the next round of the League Cup.
At the same time, Jonah Ayunga of Bristol Rovers played for 46 minutes in their 0-3 loss to Ipswich town on Saturday in the EFL Cup.
Another player of Kenyan descent David Sesay of Crawley Town FC was introduced in the second half as his side lost 1-3 to Milwall in the EFL Cup qualification.
And in Serbia, Robert Odada played the full minutes in Gracifar’s 1-2 loss at the hands of Kabel Novi Sad in the Serbian PRVA Liga.
In the South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, Anthony Akumu’s Kaizer Chiefs tied 1-1 with Baroka Leopards on Saturday in the last game of the season despite taking an early lead. Akumu was introduced in the 70th minute.
In Tanzania’s Vodacom Premier League, Kenyan goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo featured for Yanga SC as they tied 1-1 against Tanzania prisons in the season opener, while Kenyan international Joash Onyango making his full debut for Simba.
In the Egyptian top tier, Stars winger Cliff Nyakeya had 77 minutes as Masr FC tied 1-1 with Haras el Hodood while striker John Avire managed 68 minutes as FC Tanta were similarly held 1-1 by Al-Ittihad.
