Sh700m deal for Oliech

By Gilbert Wandera

Qatar side Al-Arabi have offered Auxerre Sh700million to take back Harambee Stars striker Dennis Oliech.

Oliech confirmed on Thursday that his French club has accepted the offer paving way for his move next season.

"I can confirm that I am moving back to Qatar after Al-Arabi and Auxerre agreed on terms. I am traveling to Qatar this week to join the club on a two year contract," he said.

He claimed Auxerre were unwilling to release him but the huge transfer fee offered by the Qatar side changed their mind.

"Officially I am on contract till next season and there was still the option of staying in France but Al-Arabi offered a fee Auxerre could not turn down," said the striker.

Oliech denied the move would destroy his marketability in Europe insisting that he can still move back to France or England after the two years.

"Playing in Qatar will not affect my ability to move back to Europe. Remember that it was from the same club that Nantes signed me in 2003," argued the player.

Oliech joined the then French Ligue 1 side on a two year contract, but left the club when they were relegated after only two seasons with the Cannaries. Nantes paid Sh290million to lure the Kenyan striker from Qatar.

While at Al-Arabi , Oliech will play alongside former Portsmouth striker Lomana Lua Lua from Congo. The 29 year-old Congolese striker joined Al-Arabi last year.

Mali’s Souleymane Keita is also at the Qatar club. Oliech returns to Qatar after a not so impressive season in France where he scored just two league goals for Auxerre last season. The previous season he scored three goals.

Final Duel

His form with the national team has also come under scrutiny after failing to score in two World Cup qualifier matches last month against Nigeria and Mozambique.

Oliech has dismissed criticism about his performance in the two matches insisting he was at his best.

"The truth is that I am being judged harshly for failing to score. I don’t have to score in every match. I also created chances for others who should have scored in the game," he said.

Oliech also revealed that he did not have any problems with national coach Antoine Hey and did not mind being substituted against Mozambique.

"I respect Hey a lot and he was within his right as the coach to replace me on that day. He is in charge of the team," said Oliech.

Oliech was substituted in the second half of the match after a poor show.

 

 

Read all about: Al-Arabi Auxerre Harambee Stars Dennis Oliech

 

 

---