Timothy Ouma: Harambee Stars midfielder impresses in Europe League as Elfsborg suffer narrow loss to Galatasaray

Timothy Ouma: Harambee Stars midfielder impresses in Europe League as Elfsborg suffer narrow loss to Galatasaray

Joel Omotto 08:02 - 24.10.2024

Kenyan international Timothy Ouma was among the standout performers as his club IF Elfsborg narrowly lost to Turkish giants Galatasaray in a Europa League clash.

Harambee Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma had a commanding display for his club IF Elfsborg despite their 4-3 loss to Turkish giants Galatasaray in the Europa League on Wednesday.

Ouma was among the standout performers for Elfsborg and had the first real chance of the game early on which he missed.

The midfielder found some space outside the Galatasaray penalty area and fired a low shot with his left foot but the home goalkeeper Gunay Guvenc kept it out.

Galatasaray went ahead after 28 minutes through Argentine striker Mauro Icardi and they were celebrating a second goal 11 minutes later, when Isak Pettersson slotted in his own net, before Baris Yilmaz made it 3-0 on the stroke of halftime.

After the break, the Swedish side started well and were rewarded with a goal when Simon Hedlund teed up Niklas Hult who rolled the ball into an open goal for 3-1 after 52 minutes.

Just past the hour mark, Elfsborg reduced the arrears to 3-2 when Michael Baidoo scored from the penalty spot after a handball in the box.

However, nine minutes from time, Yunus Akgun got past two defenders before firing home for 4-2 and even though Johan Larsson scored a third goal for Elfsborg, it was too little too late.

Ouma, however, left the pitch with his head held high after a 72 per cent pass accuracy, having won four of his nine duels while managing three interceptions.

The Kenyan international also had 13 recoveries in an energetic midfield performance that contributed in keeping Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen quiet.