By Gilbert Wandera
Harambee Stars face a bleak future following the shock resignation of team captain Dennis Oliech.
Oliech announced on social media on Sunday his decision to leave the national team just days Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech during Stars Nations Cup qualifier against Angola in 2011. [Photo:Stafford Ondego/Standard]
after influential midfielder McDonald Mariga sustained an injury that will keep him out for at least seven months.
The AJ Auxerre strikerâs decision was not surprising considering he had threatened to quit two weeks ago over a stand-off between him and Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
The player has been protesting FKFâs and East Africa Breweries Limitedâs (EABL) dill-dallying on demands for compensation over the use of his image on promotional material for the national team.
Most Kenyans who reacted to the news on social media pleaded with the AJ Auxerre striker to rescind his decision of quitting the national team Harambee Stars.
Oliech posted on his facebook page on Sunday that he had decided to quit the national team and concentrate on trying to help his club survive relegation.
Currently his club Auxerre are last in the French Lique 1 with 28 points from 32 matches.
The striker also said he will not be available for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers which kick off in June because of a three-week trial he will be attending at the time.
Reacting on Oliechâs decision to quit, Quincy Leone said: "Please donât leave Kenya now. I am begging you. How can you leave your country and remain in a club that is going to be relegated?"
Another fan, David Erick asked Oliech to rescind his decision and take Harambee Stars to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
