Kenyan bags first Bundesliga goal for Mainz

Kenyan defender Philipp Mwene bagged his first Bundesliga goal for Mainz almost three years after signing for the club in the 1-1 stalemate against Hertha Berlin.

The left-back has enjoyed an outstanding season in the Bundesliga, featuring 18 times for Mainz this campaign as they inch closer to securing another top-flight season by beating relegation.

The 27-year-old followed up his assist last time out against runaway log leaders Bayern Munich in the historic 2-1 win.

This becomes Mwene’s first league goal since scoring in Kaiserslautern’s 1-3 win over Ingolstadt in the second tier.

Mwene is not known to be a prolific goalscorer despite being a defender as the goal against Hertha becomes his sixth career league goal.

The former Stuttgart II defender was born to a Kenyan father and Austrian mother and is still eligible to play for Harambee Stars having not represented Austria.

Hertha Berlin who are deep in the relegation quagmire broke the deadlock in the 36th minute through Lucas Tousart, nodding in Marton Dárdai’s freekick.

Hertha failed to hold on to their lead as Mwene restored parity for Mainz four minutes later courtesy of thunderbolt from the edge of the penalty area.

Despite boasting of an experienced squad containing on-loan Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi and former Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira, Hertha are staring at relegation.

Eric Johanna

Kenyan international Eric Johanna came in on the 63rd minute for Jönköpings Södra in the 1-1 draw against Trelleborg in the Swedish second-tier.

Marko Nikolic opened the scoring for Jönköpings in the 38th minute while Haris Brkic rescued a point for Trelleborg in the 75th minute.

Johanna replaced Adrian Edqvist as Jönköpings aimed to add onto their goal tally to assure maximum points following a mixed start to the season.