Albert Muema: Kenyan striker turning heads in Austria

Kenyan striker Albert Muema is making waves in Europe, where he is playing in the National League of Austria.

Muema has been playing in Austria for the last three years and has an impressive record of 48 goals in 83 games. The former Tusker forward is currently playing for SCG Eckarstau in the National League and was recently in a sports camp in Lindabrunn, Austria.

This sports camp is visited frequently by the Austria national team which also has an Austrian-born Kenyan Phillip Mwene, who plays for German Bundesliga side FSV Mainz.

Mwene, born in Vienna, holds dual citizenship of Kenya and Austria. He played for Austria at junior level for the U19 and U21 sides and has made 29 appearances for the Austria national team, including being called up to the preliminary squad for UEFA Euro 2020.

He made his debut for the Austria national football team in 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Israel, a 2-5 away loss, playing all 90 minutes, and remains a key player for Mainz, having played 30 games for the Bundesliga club so far this season.

Muema’s team, meanwhile, got a chance to train in the sports camp in Lindabrunn in February, spending there three days, and got an opportunity to play a number of friendly games where the Kenyan star managed to score two goals.

The striker also showed his qualities at a Futsal tournament known as the Vienna World Cup which attracted Germany, Austria, Croatia, Albania, Turkey, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, DRC Congo, Bosnia, Serbia and Kenya.

He captained Team Kenya in their first-ever Futsal tournament with their group comprising Austria, Albania and Egypt.

It has been a remarkable rise for the 33-year-old striker who started his playing career in Kenya with Ligi Ndogo, where he was among the triumphant youngsters who travelled for the Keele Tournament staged in Manchester, Englang in 2010.

He trained briefly with Tusker in 2014 under then coach Francis Kimanzi for three months before he went to Australia to study and play. In Australia, he won a trophy with Broadbeach United in Australia’s Coast Premier League and also secured another piece of silverware with Broadbeach United in the National Premier League in Queensland in 2015.

Muema has also turned out for Eastern Suburbs FC, Wolves in Brisbane, Diamond Valley SC, and Brandon Park United in Melbourne, Victoria.