Kenyan right back Philipp Mwene is now ineligible to feature for Harambee Stars after he featured in Austria’s 5-2 drabbing at the hands of Israel in the 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers.The 27-year-old was born to a Kenyan father and Austrian mother and was eligible to play for Harambee Stars by virtue of his father being Kenyan and having never made a senior appearance for Austria in a competitive game.After snubbing @Harambee__Stars for three years now, Philipp Mwene (left, front row) finally made his senior national team debut for Austria in the 5-2 loss to Israel last Saturday (August 4). pic.twitter.com/oXdL72Uium— Samuel Gacharira (@SamuelGacharira) September 6, 2021 Mwene was handed a start in the clash against Israel after sitting on the bench in the entire clash against Moldova that Austria won 2-0 courtesy of goals from Christoph Baumgartner and Marko Arnautović.When one has not played a competitive international match they can represent another nation if he/she was born on the territory of the relevant association, his/her biological mother or biological father was born on the territory of the relevant association.Also when a player’s grandmother or grandfather was born on the territory of the relevant association, or when he/she has lived continuously for at least five years after reaching the age of 18 on the territory of the relevant association.Players switching their allegiance is not a foreign thing with Deigo Costa who played two friendly games for Brazil opting to represent Spain while Thiago Motta featured in three friendly games for Brazil but ended up representing Italy.Mwene would have been a good addition at Harambee Stars having struggled with the right-back position for decades but Daniel Sakari is showing signs that he might make the position his own. Done deal 📝@bundesliga 🇩🇪 to @eredivisie 🇳🇱#VooruitPhillipp pic.twitter.com/nsT1mAHLaH— PSV (@PSV) June 1, 2021 The former Mainz defender has represented Austria in the Under 17, Under 19 and Under 21 levels but had to wait till he got to 27 to make his senior appearance for the senior side.Mwene has had an outstanding start to life at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven as they currently sit at the top of the standings having featured in all games and secured a place in the UEFA Europa League. ##EDITORS_CHOICE##
