NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28- Harambee Stars skipper; Dennis Oliech has ended anxiety in the national team’s ranks by rescinding his self imposed international football retirement on Monday.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed that Oliech reversed his earlier decision to quit the squad after a meeting with the governing body boss, Sam Nyamweya and members of the national executive.
Consequently, Oliech will report to the team’s camp on Tuesday and the all time leading scorer explaining why he had made his U-turn.
“I’m happy that the federation has recognised the players association which we as players will use to pursue our interests,” the AJ Auxerre forward announced.
The skipper who had quit over disagreement with the team’s sponsors East Africa Breweries over the use of his image in one of their billboards added the matter would now be taken up by the Kenya Football Players Association.
Welcoming the forward back, Nyamweya stated, “I’m humbled by Dennis and his family for showing patriotism and wish to assure all players that the federation will continue to fight for their welfare.
“We therefore, urge all Kenyans to rally behind the team this weekend as we play Malawi.”
Kimanzi who was facing a forward line conundrum ahead of the match as the Oliech saga dragged on can now call on the player who leads the scoring charts for his nation, netting 31 goals since his international debut in 2002.
Oliech, who scored ten Ligue 1 goals for his relegated side Auxerre in this season, has been linked with a move away from the club and a good return in Kenya’s games against Malawi, Namibia and Togo will increase his stock in the transfer market.
Stars face Namibia in their second 2014 World Cup qualifier on June 9 before travelling to Lome on July 15 to face Togo in the return leg of the 2013 Nations Cup knock-out tie that Kenya lead 2-1.
Oliech will be the sixth foreign based player to be included in Kimanzi’s squad for the match against The Flames with Patrick Oboya, Titus Mulama, Patrick Osiako, Kevin Kimani (unattached) and Victor Wanyama already in camp.
Kimanzi is schdeuled to name the final squad on Thursday.
