Kenyan Defender Joseph Okumu Suffers Abuse in Belgium As KAA Gent Win in UEFA Conference League Playoffs

• Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu was spat on in Belgium in his side's 2-1 win over KV Mechelen in the Belgium top-flight match
• KV Mechelen have issued a statement condemning the incident and promising to follow up to ensure it doesn't happen again
• Joash Onyango is set to sign a new deal with Simba SC, ending months of speculation over his future

Disgusting scenes were witnessed in Belgium when Kenyan international defender Joseph Okumu was allegedly racially abused. Okumu was part of his team's KAA Gent 2-1 victory over KV Mechelen in the UEFA Conference League playoffs.

Okumu did not start the game but was introduced after 67 minutes taking Andreas Hanche-Olsen's place. The incident happened in the 78th minute when a fan spit on him.

In a quick rejoinder, KV Mechelen, who were the hosts for the game, issued a strong-worded statement condemning the incident.

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Football

The images of a person in Box I spitting in the direction of a player of the visiting team have reached us. Let's be clear, this has no place in our stadium, in any football stadium.

We have provided the footage to our security team. Appropriate follow-up will be given to this.

KAA Gent, on their part, have thanked their opponents for the swift action.

The Belgian top-flight club took the lead through Michael Ngedu. Mechelen responded in the 89th minute via a Geoffrey Hairemans' strike. The game's drama didn't end there as Moroccan international Tarik Tissoudali snatched all the three points for Gent in stoppage time.

Okumu scored in Gent's last game

KAA Gent had beaten the same opponents three days ago. Sports Brief had earlier reported that Joseph Okumu rose highest to head in a corner in the 81st minute to guarantee maximum points for his side.

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Gent are now in a prime position to qualify for the next stage of the Conference League after winning its last three games on the trot.

Joash Onyango agrees new deal with Simba

In Tanzania, Joash Onyango has reportedly agreed to a new deal with Simba SC. The aggressive midfielder has been a cornerstone for the Simba defence since joining in from record Kenya champions Gor Mahia.

A number of clubs were interested in Onyango's services, but now Mozzart Sports understands that he is set to agree on a two-year contract extension with the Tanzanian giants.