STARS ABROAD: On song Kenyan midfielder Linton Maina awarded in Germany

Kenyan midfielder Linton Maina has been awarded FC Koln’s Player of the Month gong for August, following his impressive showing in the German second-tier.

Maina, 25, was a player redefined last month, as he contributed six goals for his side in five league and cup matches.

The forward, who is yet to represent Kenya’s Harambee Stars, began his onslaught on Friday 2 August, when he netted his first goal in the 2024-2025 season in a 2-1 Koln loss to Hamburg.

Two weeks later, Maina delivered a Man-of-the-Match performance when he scored and assisted in Effzeh’s 3-2 victory over Sandhausen in the DFB Pokal Cup.

His productive month was not done yet, as he provided two assists in a 5-0 thrashing of Braunschweig.

His latest highlight display came over last weekend, when the former Hannover man born to a Kenyan father and a German mother finished off a lovely team move to score one of FC Koln’s goals in a 3-1 beating of Schalke 04 at the Veltins Arena.

STARS ABROAD: Scriven, Maina on the scoresheet in busy Sunday for Kenyan players

“Congratulations on being named FC Koln's Player of the Month for August, Linton! You deserve it!” FC Koln posted on their website on Friday.

Maina, for his effort, was awarded a small trophy best mimicking the club’s nickname - Die Geißböcke - which means Billy Goats.

Maina will next be in action in the 2nd Bundesliga on Saturday 14 September, when Koln welcome FC Magdeburg.