Could German-born duo be solution to Harambee Stars problematic position?
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 25.01.25. | 19:11
With the possibility of playing for the Harambee Stars, could Akumu just be the solution to Kenya’s perennial problems in the flanks?
Could the German-born duo of Maik Nelson Afri Akumu and Quincy Mbugua be the solution to the problematic wing position in Harambee Stars?
Harambee Stars prospect Maik Nelson Afri Akumu is one of the exciting and promising teenagers in German side Hertha Berlin and Germany U-17.
The winger was born in Berlin, Germany on July 14 2008 to a Kenyan father and an English mother and is currently a dual citizen of Germany and Poland.
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Akumu who mostly plays as a left winger but can also fit in at right wing or centre forward measures 184 cm, a good height for that position.
With the possibility of playing for the Harambee Stars, could Akumu just be the solution to Kenya’s perennial problems in the flanks?
The teenage sensation has grown through the ranks of the Hertha team, getting promoted across the age groups and currently plays for both the U-19 and U-21 teams.
Akumu played 45 minutes for Hertha Berlin U-21 in their 4-2 win over Norwich City U-21 on Tuesday 21 January 2025.
His growth has also attracted the attention of the national team where he has been capped thrice for the U-17 with the latest being on Saturday 11 January 2025 where he scored an 86th minute winner in Germany's 2-1 win over Portugal.
If FKF pursues the winger and convinces him to play for his father's country of birth, he might be a big asset to Harambee Stars who have a shortage of effective wingers.
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Akumu is a speedy and skilful winger who likes to isolate the defenders in one-on-one situations in the flanks and then cuts inside to either score or provide an assist.
Having gone through the academy youth structure of a top German club, Akumu has had the unique opportunity of being sharpened by the best, something that most local players lack.
Former Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat is on record attributing the inconsistent scoring form of captain Michael Olunga in the national team to insufficient supply from the wings.
In recent matches, defenders and central midfielders have been deployed on the wings for Harambee Stars with Gor Mahia's Rooney Onyango and Rakow Czestochowa’s Erick 'Marcelo' Ouma the main characters.
Perhaps Ayub Timbe has been the only proper and consistent winger for Harambee Stars over the past few years and the country has lacked a threat from the flanks in his absence.
With age and injuries catching up with Timbe, Akumu could just be the perfect solution to that malady.
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Quincy Mbugua
Also in the ranks of Hertha Berlin is Quincy Mbugua who plies his trade with the U-17 side.
Just like Akumu, Mbugua is 16 years old and plays majorly as a left winger but can equally slot in the right-wing or the right-back position.
Mbugua currently has German citizenship but can also be eligible to turn out for Harambee Stars if he decides to take Kenyan citizenship.
Unlike Akumu, Mbugua had not played in the youth levels of the German national team which may make it easier for her to opt for Kenya.
Additionally, Mbugua has played 46 per cent of the total minutes of Hertha Berlin's U17 Nachwuchsliga Group D 2024/25 season matches.
Mbugua has made 12 appearances and marked them with two goals and overall has been involved in four of his team's goals so far this season.
For Harambee Stars, there has been an increasing interest and number of players who were born in other countries but chose to play for Kenya.
They include Daniel Anyembe who was born in Denmark, England-born Jonah Ayunga and Alfred Scriven who was born in Kenya to an English father and a Kenyan mother.
The pursuit and adoption of players born in other countries turning out for others is a big phenomenon in African football, especially in West and North Africa.
These players supplement the development and nurturing of local players to make African nations more competitive in world football.
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