We'll miss Mariga and Origi, admits Oliech

By GILBERT WANDERAHarambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech has admitted that the absence of Macdonald Mariga and Arnold Origi will be a major blow for the team when they take on Angola next month.
It will be Stars’ return Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola. Kenya won the first match 2-1 in Nairobi in March.
Mariga was red-carded during the Nairobi match and will be ineligible to play against Angola, while Origi, who plays in Norway, is injured.
"Mariga’s absence is a big blow for us and Origi is very experienced in goal. We must get equally experienced players to replace them," he said in an interview from France.
Oliech said the team’s technical bench need to identify players who have the experience of playing away considering that it is a crucial match whose result may determine Kenya’s fate in the qualifiers.
"We need a midfielder who can hold this department well. Even a draw in Angola will be a good result for us and we must do everything to ensure we do not drop all three points in Luanda," he added.
Oliech said he will join Stars for training on May 30 immediately after playing his last league match with Auxerre in a French Ligue one encounter.
Harambee Stars coach Zedekiah Otieno is expected to name his squad for this campaign later this week.
Among the players who are likely to be called up by the coach is Allan Wanga who plys his trade in Vietnam. Wanga played in Angola for two seasons and is expected to provide a major boost to the team by his presence.
Wanga was overlooked for the March tie at home because he had just joined a new club in Vietnam. He has so far scored five goals for his team.
The Harambee Stars Management Board under the chairmanship of Evans Kidero met on Tuesday to plan for the team’s camping.
According to sources in the meeting, the board is considering putting up the team in a hotel instead of the traditional Moi International Sports Centre camp.
The team may camp at either the Laico Regency Hotel or the Meridian Hotel to boost their morale.
Stars go to camp on Tuesday.