NAIROBI, Kenya, June 8- A day after pictures of France Ligue 1 AJ Ajaccio forward, Dennis Oliech, enjoying himself alongside his teammates at a social event three days before Harambee Stars took on the Super Eagles, head coach Adel Amrouche has ended his reign as the skipper of the national side.
The Belgian coach confirmed to SuperSport.com that Celtic FC star, Victor Wanyama, who led the side in the 1-0 loss to African champions, Nigeria, on Wednesday would take the role on permanent basis after making a raft of chances to the squad ahead of their trip to Malawi.
“I think it’s time to make changes to the team and I can assure you I will ensure Victor Wanyama remains as the Harambee Stars captain even after the suspension of Dennis Oliech is lifted,” Amrouche told the website as the issue of indiscipline in the squad came to the fore following the publishing of pictures depicting the team’s stars drinking and smoking shisha ahead of the crucial Nigeria tie surfaced online in addition to being printed in a local daily.
Oliech who was suspended for the game due to accumulation of two yellow cards was snapped at the Blanket & Wines event alongside team mates Jamal Mohammed and Patrick Osiako with a bottle of wine in a picture that surfaced on Face Book and Twitter.
“He is not a good role model to other players due to his off-field activities and late arrival in camp,” Amrouche decried.
Oliech was appointed skipper by former coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee taking the mantle from former South Africa’s Sanlam Santos defender having been virtually an ever present in the national team since making his debut in 2002 and is the all time leading goalscorer on 34 goals.
However, his off-field antics and partying lifestyle have seen the former Al Arabi, Nantes Antlantique and Auxerre striker make tabloid fodder particularly when he is away from his France base.
Midfielder Mohammed caused further outrage when he was splashed across the front page of The Standard smoking from a shisha pipe when the players were supposed to be in camp. He alongside Osiako who came on in the second half were roundly criticised for lethargic displays as Stars 2014 World Cup dream was all but snuffed following the loss.
Stars were due to depart for Malawi later Saturday or Sunday as they seek to end their Brazil Mundial campaign on a high with their home tie against Namibia in September completing their Group F assignment.
