Kenyan trio Anthony Akumu, Masoud Juma and Austin Odhiambo ended a challenging season on a high after helping Nejmeh SC defeat Al Hikma 2-0 to win the Lebanese FA Cup at Fouad Chehab Stadium.
Ali El Fadl opened the scoring before an own goal by an Al Hikma defender sealed victory for the Beirut giants, handing Nejmeh their first silverware of the campaign.
Akumu and Juma both started and completed the full 90 minutes, playing key roles in the victory.
Akumu controlled proceedings from midfield while Juma spearheaded the attack throughout the final. Odhiambo, who joined the club from Kenyan champions Gor Mahia earlier this year, came off the bench in the second half to play his part as Nejmeh closed out the win.
The triumph marks the first trophy the three Kenyan internationals have won together since arriving in Lebanon and provides a fitting conclusion to a season that tested the club both on and off the pitch.
Nejmeh began the campaign among the favourites to challenge for the Lebanese Premier League title but failed to maintain consistency, dropping crucial points that ultimately left them out of the championship race. With their league ambitions slipping away, the FA Cup became the club's final opportunity to finish the season with silverware.
Their footballing struggles were compounded by a far greater challenge away from the game.
In March, escalating regional conflict triggered explosions in Beirut, forcing the suspension of domestic football and creating uncertainty across the country.
As the security situation deteriorated, Akumu, Juma and Odhiambo were granted permission by the club to leave Lebanon, with the trio travelling through Egypt before returning to Kenya to await further developments.
Following an improvement in the security situation, the three players returned to Beirut to rejoin their teammates as Nejmeh resumed preparations for the remainder of the season.
Their return proved timely, with the club putting together a successful cup run that culminated in Wednesday's victory over Al Hikma.
For Akumu, Juma and Odhiambo, the triumph represents far more than another winner's medal. It is the reward for navigating one of the most difficult periods of their professional careers, having endured an interrupted season shaped not only by football but also by events beyond the sport.
After overcoming setbacks on the pitch and uncertainty off it, the three Kenyans can now celebrate their first trophy together in Lebanese football, helping restore pride to one of the country's most decorated clubs and ensuring Nejmeh finished an otherwise turbulent campaign on a winning note.
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