Football: Oliech's plea for inclusion in Stars team

Dennis Oliech at Stars training session at Kasarani this week.

Former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech still wants to be part of the team despite a statement by current coach Bobby Williamson that he wants to nurture another striker.

Williamson has even locked out the player from his travelling squad to Monday’s international friendly against Morocco.

Oliech said on Thursday he does not intend to retire any time soon.

“I still want to be part of the team. I cannot retire just like that. Yes, I know that perhaps it is time to pave way for the young boys but we must be there to guide them and show them the way just like it was done for us,” he said.

He added: “Retirement is not in my mind at the moment. Maybe in another two years. I am only 29 years old yet one can play until one is 40.”

Asked why he thinks it has taken so long to get his replacement in the team, Oliech said: “I don’t know. I cannot answer that. Perhaps, I was just lucky but again, to be a good striker one has to be willing to work very hard.

“I started my career when I was 12 years old. I was playing against older players and this made a difference in shaping my future.

“However, all is not lost, we still have some great strikers in the team like Allan Wanga in Sudan. He is a good player who should be able to fit into my shoes but this cannot be done in a hurry.

“The current coach still needs the experienced players featuring alongside the young boys to learn from us. It is not possible to build a team only with new players.”

Oliech now features in the French Ligue two after his club Ajaccio were relegated last season.