Kunde Malong restarts Bundesliga life

Former Mainz SV midfielder has returned to the championship which was his home for three years

Former Mainz SV midfielder Pierre Kunde Malong has marked his return to the German Bundesliga and debut for VFL Bochum with a 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Hertha Berlin on Saturday at the Vonovia Ruhrstadion in a match day 16 fixture.

Kunde who joined Bochum this January on a six months loan from Greek side Olympiakos played the final 31 minutes of the game as Bochum extended their home form to four wins in four with a resounding win over a Hertha side who entered the contest only a point behind their host.

A brace from Philip Hofmann sandwitched by a headed goal from unmarked Freiburg defender Kevin Schlotterberg who made his debut as Kunde had just one reply Suat Serdar leaving the host with their sixth win in 16 games this campaign.

Bochum had the dividends for their efforts midway into the first-half when Hofmann notched home the opener. The hosts hit the woodwork few minutes later but made amends for the near miss in the 44th minute when Schlotterberg scored another header from a dead ball from a corner situation which met him unmarked.

Hofmann added the third eleven minutes after the interval. the third goal meant it was game set and matched.

With that in mind, Thomas Letsch brought on Kunde for the last 31 minutes to seal the middle of the park and ensure victory.

Hertha however pulled one back through Suat three minutes from time, but it was too little too late as home fans cheered their team till they crossed the finish line.

The results meant Bochum wins three Bundesliga games in row and go above Hertha and into the 14th spot with 16 points from 16 games in the 18 clubs championship.

Kunde’s minutes on the pitch highlighted his qualities again and he was dominant in his duels and made crucial recoveries for Bochum.

Once of the Parishes of Atletico Madrid, Granada, Alcombendas and Best Stars Academy of Limbe, Kunde has developed into a complete footballer who needs very limited time to impose himself at whichever club he plays.

The native from Limbe whose international experience counts 35 caps is the second Cameroonian to paly for Bochum after former Cameroonian striker Joel Epalle.

Kunde will hope to stay in the team, why not ? as a starter, barely a year to the start of 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cote D’Ivoire in January – February 2024.

The Blues will travel to Leverkusen this midweek to confront ninth place Bayer Leverkusen who emerged winners in a five-goals contest against Borussia Monchenglabach.

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