The return of Dennis Oliech and lessons for Kenya

Gor Mahia Dennis Oliech in action against Mathare United during their KPL match at Kasarani Stadium yesterday. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The return of legendary Kenyan footballer Dennis Oliech to the Kenya Premier League should be inspiration to Kenyan youth.

Many had written off Dennis, Kenya’s all-time scorer, return to football. He surprised many by bouncing back to inspire Gor Mahia’s 1-1 draw with his former club, Mathare United.

His performance clearly proved that he still has something to offer for Kenyan soccer.

Dennis, whose career in professional football spans more than 13 years, makes a comeback at a time Kenya is preparing for 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

He returns to the local league for the second time after leaving Mathare United in 2003 for Qatar, which marked the beginning of a sterling soccer career that took him to Nantes, Ajaccio and Auxerre, all leading clubs in France.

Dennis makes a comeback to Kenya’s football after failing to clinch a deal with Free State Stars in South Africa. That Gor Mahia has signed him for two years for Sh3.5 million-the highest in the local premier league- is an indication that our football is coming of age.

Dennis has undergone and triumphed over a number of personal and professional tribulations and overcome them. His is a story of resilience and never-say-die spirit that should be emulated by our youth. 

His return should inspire more confidence in Kenya’s soccer. Above all, it should inspire our faith in local talent.

Hopefully, Dennis, will recover his goal scoring streak and bounce back to being the legend of Kenyan football that he was not very long time ago.