Family of Denis Oliech reveals why coach left him out of team to Comoros

   Oliech with coach Amrouche at past training    Photo: Denis Okeyo

A footballer’s dream is not only to play in Europe someday, but to get to win major titles for his national team as well.

Take for instance Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs. He could be the most decorated footballer of recent times, but he has never played in the World Cup or won major trophies at the national stage.

For Dennis Oliech ‘The Menace’, playing at the World Cup may be one of those dreams that could go up in smoke. Oliech was on May 26 axed from the starting line-up for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations return leg away to Comoros.

Harambee Stars head coach Adel Amrouche said Oliech was axed because of ‘disciplinary reasons’.

Amrouche has severally complained about Oliech’s conduct, prompting him to strip him off the arm band and giving it to Southampton’s Victor Mugubi.

Speaking to journalists at Kasarani on May 26, Amrouche complained about Oliech’s lack of respect for the national team.

The coach said: “Oliech is showing bad example to the rest of the squad.”

What followed was a series of accusations and counter accusations on TV and radio talk shows, and according one of the popular online sites, Amrouche is said to have lost patience with Oliech.

“If one doesn’t want to play I can’t force him, I will give the chance to other players that I have been working with. I respect my team but Oliech failed to show respect and when we make a decision we don’t reverse it, so for the next game he should forget since I will not field him. He is a good player and may be our opponents will be happy but I will not entertain this,” the Algeria-born tactician said.

Speaking to The Nairobian, the legendary defender Tobby Ochola ‘Jua Kali’, said: “The buck stops with the federation, and it’s not fair to let Oliech and the National team’s technical bench argue in the press. However, everything should be done to save the image of the national team. “After all the negative talks, I think including him (Oliech) in the team would break the heart of the team,” adds Ochola.

Efforts to reach Oliech proved futile as the striker was said to be either locked up in a series of family meetings, or at the training camp in Kasarani.

Family issues

However, Ken Oliech, Dennis’ younger brother, told The Nairobian their family has had ‘domestic issues’.

“Deno does everything for the family, and it is no news that our mother has been unwell for some time now. For the last one year, she has been hospitalised in France, and her ailment has been a major issue causing him (Oliech) problems with even his club AC Ajacci,” Ken said.

“Dennis is frustrated by off the pitch issues because he too is human,” said Ken.

He said the distance between the island of Corsica, where Oliech is based, and Paris has not helped issues given Dennis is a favourite son of their mother.

 

Ken said coach Amrouche is a family friend and has been aware of the issues troubling the national team star.

He said Nickson Chigi Oliech, their eldest brother, will explain things further to Amrouche because ‘communication has always been a major problem for Dennis.’

When Amrouche announced the decision to drop Oliech from the starting lineup, he had said: “I have spoken with Oliech, and it seems he has a personal problem which I cannot comment on, but he knows the rules very well. If one does not come for training, he simply can’t play. It doesn’t matter who you are, and it’s not because you have a name; all the players are also good.”

It is upon Kenyans to judge

Ken said: “This is a most trying moment not only for Dennis but to the entire Oliech’s family. It is upon Kenyans to judge. Dennis has previously performed, but today he too needs Kenyans to stand with him. Life in Europe is not easy, let alone paying for the huge medical bills. If it were not for Dennis, our mother would be no more.”

In an earlier interview with The Nairobian, coach Amrouche expressed his desire to have Oliech and Divock Origi pair up to marshal Harambee Stars’ attack.

But that dream was thwarted when Origi was named in the Belgium’s team to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World cup. Then followed what pundits described as a lacklustre performance by Oliech at Nyayo Stadium during the first leg of 2015 African Cup of Nations Qualifier match against Comoros.

With Oliech sidelined, Ampha Apidi, a renowned football analyst, told The Nairobian Amrouche will be walking a tight rope in a foreign land.

“The dynamics of playing away are far too complex. After our 1:0 win in Nairobi, we may go with a defensive game plan which requires that you drop the ball to a fast and experienced forward, who can navigate through the opponent’s defence,” Apidi said.

He said the issue of replacing Oliech cannot just happen overnight, and that Amrouche’s decision to include an inexperienced Nakuru Top Fry striker is a clear indication that the coach plans to nurture a new team.

“We are going away to Comoros. Will the nation be looking up to a player who’s not been tested before? I would really like to know the circumstances under which Oliech missed training for a whole week,” he said.

“Oliech has performed before and he has the ability to do it again. We should not condemn him without understanding the issues at hand.”