Oliech: I won’t disappoint you
Former Harambee Stars skipper Dennis Oliech is back and ready to roar! The recalled striker has called upon Kenyans to turn up in their thousands and cheer Stars when they take on Zambia in a crucial 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Nyayo National Stadium.
After training with the team Wednesday, Oliech was in bullish mood, saying that he “wants to leave the match venue with a big smile come Sunday”.
The pacy striker said that the fire is still burning in his belly and will give a good account of himself, given a chance.
IMPORTANT TO WIN
“I normally do what I’m supposed to do; and that is to score goals. It doesn’t matter whether it will be me or my striking partner, or any other player, but the most important thing is to win,” he said.
“Dennis the Menace”, as he is popularly known, has fond memories of Nyayo. He is best remembered for his brace that helped Stars beat Zimbabwe 2-0 in an ill-tempered World Cup qualifier on June 14, 2008.
In that memorable match, Stars were reduced to 10 men and Oliech had to step in as a makeshift goalie in the dying stages of the game after custodian Arnold Origi had picked up a career-threatening injury and had to be rushed to hospital.
“The most important thing is for the fans to come and support us. We have young players in the squad who are launching their careers at the international level and we have to encourage them,” he said.
“Football is all about winning, drawing or losing; they are the only three results you can get and we want to go on the pitch and win.”
EXPERIENCED TEAM
“Zambia has experience, they have big name players. They will deploy a tactical approach, but we have to go all-out and do our part.I’m ready for that; whether I score or not, I have to offer support and make assists because at the end of the day, I have to go home with a big smile.”
Meanwhile, attacking midfielder Ayub Timbe (Lierse, Belgium), striker Jacob Keli (Nkana, Zambia), defender David ‘Calabar’ Owino (Zesco United, Zambia) and centre-half Brian Mandela (Maritzburg United, South Africa), joined camp Wednesday.
Skipper Victor Wanyama, his elder sibling McDonald Mariga, Arnold Origi and Paul Were are expected Thursday.
Mandela hopes to make his first competitive appearance for the senior side since September 2013 when he featured against Namibia.