Mambo backs Okumu to flourish in Belgium

Former Harambee Stars captain, Robert Mambo believes Joseph Okumu will be a great player for K.A.A Gent during his stay at the club after the defender sealed a move to Belgium Champions.

Okumu signed a four-year contract with Gent on Sunday, ending his two-year stint with Swedish club IF Elfsborg where he had developed to become a key player. A number of top sides in Europe like Rangers, Celtic, Reims and Valencia were after his signature but in the end, the lanky defender settled for the recently crowned Belgium champions.

Mambo became the first Kenyan to play for Gent when he moved to the club in 2000 from Kenya Pipeline and having watched Okumu playing in Sweden where the ex-international is based, the former midfield enforcer believes that the Kenyan international will thrive at the Ghent-based club as it is a good club that takes good care of its foreign legion.

“Gent is a very good club which really takes care of its foreign players. I have watched him play in Elsfborg here in Sweden and I'm certainly sure he will be of great value to Gent as he keeps taking his football levels higher and higher,” Mambo told Mozzart Sport in an interview from Sweden.

The former midfielder, now a coach also opines that the quality of the Belgian league has developed over the years and is one of the best in Europe. He also believes that Okumu has made his switch to the Belgian Pro League at the right time.

“John Muiruri and I were the first guys to join Gent in Belgium in 2001 while Mike Okoth had been already in Belgium for several years before us in Genk. It’s really good news that Joseph Okumu has joined Gent. It's one of the top 4 big clubs in Belgium and I'm sure his move has come at the right time since Belgium league is one of the top levels league in Europe,” he added.

The soft-spoken Mambo had a word of advice for Okumu. He urged him to keep working and maintain his confidence. He also believes that teh player has the right physique and technique, a recipe for a great defender.

“My advice to him is to still keep on with confidence and keep working hard since I believe that's what got him there. I like his style of play, his physique and his technique as a defender. The sky is the only limit for this guy and I can only wish him the best in Gent. I urge him to make the country proud,” he concluded.

Mambo is currently in charge of the Swedish Div Two side, FC Gute.