Kenyan trio sidelined as Lebanese league halts amid Iran-Israel-US conflict
Kenyan footballers Austin Odhiambo, Masud Juma and Anthony Akumu, who play for Nejmeh SC in Lebanon, have been indirectly caught up in the ongoing Iran-Israel-US war after the Lebanese Premier League was suspended on 3 March 2026 due to regional security threats.
The suspension came as airspace closures and military tensions escalated in the Middle East, prompting the Lebanese Football Federation to halt all matches and tournaments indefinitely “to ensure public safety.”
The three Harambee Stars stars had been key contributors to Nejmeh’s season, with Juma and Akumu regulars since the campaign began and Odhiambo arriving in January to bolster the attack.
In its statement, the federation said the pause was necessary “given the current circumstances and the need to prioritise the well-being of players, staff and spectators.”
Nejmeh were third in the league when play was suspended, with fixtures postponed until further notice as the conflict’s impact ripples through regional sport.