STAR IN DIASPORA:Introducing FC Kaiserslautern defender eager to play for Kenya

Kaiserslautern defender Phillipp Mwene, who has expressed interest to play for Kenya. [PHOTO: FCK.DE]

Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi says he is ready to welcome with open arms Austrian-born FC Kaiserslautern defender Phillipp Mwene should he desire to play for Kenya.

Mwene, a right-back for the Bundesliga II side, is born to a Kenyan father and Austrian mother and is said to have expressed interest to play for Harambee Stars.

And with Okumbi steadily rebuilding the Kenyan national team, he says he would be happy to add quality to Harambee Stars and spur competition for places.

“That is the only way we can spark Harambee Stars to life. I am very happy to have Las Palmas midfielder Ismail Gonzalez. And if Mwene will be available, why not?” Okumbi said.

Kenya are on a three-match winning streak after beating Democratic Republic of Congo away and Mozambique and Liberia at home with an identical 1-0 wins.

Mwene, born on January 29, 1994 in Vienna, Austria, is a regular at the 1998 German champions and will be a big capture for Kenya. The defender holds dual citizenship of Kenya and Austria. He has played for VfB Stuttgart II in Bundesliga III and his steady progress to Kaiserslautern will surely raise some eyebrows.

Okumbi has successfully lured Spain-based Gonzalez but is yet to convince Australia-based brothers Bruce and Ian Kamau.