Oliech hot form in France excites Harambee Stars

AFP | JEFF PACHOUD. Auxerre's Kenyan forward Dennis Oliech (L) is tackled by Nancy's French defender Andre Joel Sami (R) during the French L1 football match Auxerre vs Nancy on 25 September, 2010 at the Abbe Deschamps stadium in Auxerre. Oliech’s form at AJ Auxerre is exciting the Harambee Stars camp ahead of next weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Uganda in Nairobi.

By ODINDO AYIEKO, oayieko@yahoo.co.uk
Posted Wednesday, September 29 2010 at 19:31

Dennis Oliech’s form at AJ Auxerre is exciting the Harambee Stars camp ahead of next weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Uganda in Nairobi.

Oliech, named captain of the team by coach Jacob “Ghost” Mule scored a brace in the weekend French League game against Nancy, the first coming in the 57th second, the fastest goal in the competition this season.

The Stars top marksman also played on Tuesday in the European Champions League clash with Real Madrid and came close to scoring twice though his side eventually lost.

Great hope

“It gives us great hope especially if he can carry that form to the national team,” said newly appointed Harambee Stars spokesman Hussein Terry.

“At least we have watched him play twice in the last week and we are happy with his performance. Oliech is one very reliable players Kenya has and we are excited at his work rate at the moment.”

Terry said already letters requesting release of the players have been dispatched to the five foreign based players who are expected to link up with the squad on Sunday night, just five days to the crucial game with the Uganda Cranes who lead the Group H with three points after the 3-0 mauling of Angola in Kampala early in the month. Guinea Bissau who beat Kenya by a solitary goal in Bissau is second.

The other foreign based players called up are MacDonald Mariga of Inter Milan in Italy, his Belgium based brother Victor Mugabe of Germinia Beerschot, Patrick Osiako of Mjalby in Sweden and Johanna Omollo who plays in Luxemborg for FC Fola Esch.

Plea to President Kibaki

And as the team prepared for the clash, with over 5000 Uganda fans are planning to come and cheer their team to victory, Kenya Football Federation chairman Sam Nyamweya has sent a plea to President Mwai Kibaki to grace the match to boost the morale of the Kenya team.

Sam Nyamweya the KFF chairman says the match is of utmost importance and the boys need support from every Kenyan to put their hopes for a ticket back on course.

“Kenyans need to come out and support the team materially, morally and financially. It is important we win this game. It’s a do or die match,” said Nyamweya.

“We should put our differences behind and cheer our boys to victory,” added Nyamweya whose KFF is embroiled in a leadership rivalry with Football Kenya Limited.