On form Kenyan midfielder impresses coach in Germany

Kenyan midfielder Linton Maina is enjoying a purple patch at Hannover 96 after scoring in the 2-1 win over Ingolstadt in the German 2. Bundesliga and has earned praise from his coach Chrisptoh Dabrowski.

The 22-year-old bagged the match-winner in the pulsating encounter that propelled Hannover further from relegation places after a stuttering start to the season.

Speaking in his post-match match press conference, Dabrowski who was present during Maina’s formative years in football was impressed with his form. 

"He (Maina) found the joy of playing again. I've known him for ages. I am not surprised by the abilities he has,” Dabrowski told the Bild.

The coach who is now in charge of Hannover on an interim basis scouted Maina when he was the Hannover Under 17 coach and signed him from SV Empor Berlin back in 2014.

Maina is enjoying an impressive goal-scoring return after netting in the 1-0 win over Hamburg last time out which marked their first win in eight games. 

Dabrowski further added that he was impressed with his side’s display but was not happy with his team not getting the insurance goal.  

"I'm very happy with the three points and proud of the team how they performed. I saw my team play an excellent game. We had good ball possession phases, good positional play and were good at counter-pressing,”

“We just created chances to score in the first half, where we have to score the third goal to prevent the opponent from getting too close. We'll have to add a little more in the near future. I was not satisfied with every situation,” added Dabrowski.

Despite featuring for the German junior sides, Maina is still eligible for Harambee Stars having been born to a Kenyan father and a German mother.