This archive report was first published on 15 June 2020.
June 15, 2020 - The COVID-19 pandemic has finally subsided, allowing football to slowly return in some countries. Kenyan footballers abroad have been among those who have resumed their careers.
Francis Kahata, a Harambee Stars midfielder, was one of the Kenyan footballers who returned to action. He played for Simba SC in a 1-1 draw against Ruvu Shooting at the National Stadium in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Kahata had been training with Simba for less than two weeks after being flown in from Arusha.
Simba SC remains on course for a three-peat with a 15-point lead and nine matches remaining. The team's victory was a significant one, as it marked their first match in over two months.
Joseph 'Crouch' Okumu, a Kenyan defender, also returned to action in Sweden. He played for IF Elfsborg, which won 1-0 against IFK Gotenborg. Okumu clocked the full minutes in the match and expressed his joy at being back on the field.
'It felt really good to be out there and playing again. Starting off with victory and a clean sheet made it sweeter,' Okumu said.
Other Kenyan footballers, including Erick 'Marcelo' Ouma and Ayub Timbe, also returned to action in Sweden and England, respectively. Ouma watched from the sidelines as his team AIK went top of the standings, while Timbe played for Reading FC in a build-up match.
