Phillipp Mwene: Ghost Mulee lauds Kenyan-Austrian taking Euro 2024 by storm

Former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has lauded the technical ability of Phillipp Mwene, a Kenyan/Austrian professional footballer, who is currently representing Austria as a full-back in the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.

Mwene was born to a Kenyan father and an Austrian mother, and holds dual citizenship of Kenya and Austria.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Mulee said Mwene’s technical ability was obvious when Austria played against France on Monday, and despite the 1-0 loss he was able to give the French world class winger a run for their money.

“He was one of the outstanding players in the game. He is tactically gifted and very strong that is good for a defender, and going up against some of the world class top strikers that is very impressive of him,” said Mulee.

Mwene was born in Vienna, Austria on January 29, 1994, and made his debut for the Austria national football team as a full-back on September 4, 2021 against Israel where they lost 5-2.

He played the entire match, and Mulee expects him to be regular having made 13 appearances for Austria so far.

“He still has a lot to offer. All he needs is consistency and improving every game. I think he will be useful for his national team,” stated Mulee.

The 30-year-old who plies his trade for Mainz 05 in the German Bundesliga, started his youth club career at Austrian Wien between 2002–2010 before moving to VfB Stuttgart youth team between 2010–2013.

He was promoted to the senior team between 2013–2016 and made 73 appearances.

In 2016, Mwene moved to Kaiserslautern where he played 65 matches scoring four goals, before joining Mainz 05 in 2018 to 2021, playing 30 matches and scoring one goal.

He then joined Mainz 05 in 2018-2021, where he featured in 30 matches scoring one goal, before moving to PSV where he played 44 games and scored three goals.

he left for PSV making 44 appearances and scoring three goals, before returning to Mainz 05 on a three-year contract, playing 23 times and scoring one goal so far.

In August 23, 2023, Mwene returned to Mainz 05 on a three-year contract, and has so far made 23 appearances and scored one goal.