Former Harambee Stars captain looking to beef up Gor Mahia’s attack
Football
By
Gilbert Wandera
| Dec 19, 2018
Former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech is poised to return to the Sportpesa Premier League (SPL) 15 years since he left Mathare United.
Oliech is in talks with SPL champions Gor Mahia for a possible move in January.
Oliech confirmed talks between his representatives and the club have been going on for the last 10 days and he looks forward to return to local football.
“I am excited about the return and playing for a big club like Gor Mahia. I want to help them on the continental level. If things work out well, the move should be concluded by the end of this week,” he said.
Gor Mahia are currently taking part in the CAF Champions League tournament and will play Lobi Stars this weekend in a crucial match where a draw guarantees them a place in the group stages.
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This is what attracted Oliech to eye a slot in Gor as he is keen to play continental football again.
“Coming back to the SPL also opens another possibility of playing for the national team Harambee Stars and I would be excited to play at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals,” the former Mathare United striker said.
Oliech remains one of Kenya's top strikers and was in the team that played in Stars' last Africa Cup of Nations outing in 2004.
Apart from Gor Mahia, other SPL clubs that are also chasing his signature include Sofapaka and Mt Kenya United.
The player has, however, settled on playing for the league champions. Gor Mahia coach Hassan Oktay is in desperate need of a striker.
Right now, his options are limited to shopping locally as the club has already exhausted its foreign quota.
Oliech last played locally for Mathare United before leaving for his first professional stint in 2003 with Al-Arabi in the Middle East. One year later, he became the first Kenyan to play in the French Ligue 1 after joining Nantes.
The club was, however, relegated after two seasons and Oliech joined Auxerre. He stopped playing two years ago after a short stint in the United Arab Emirates.
Three months ago, he attended trials in South Africa but the expected move to Premier Soccer League side Cape Town City did not materialise.
SPL Chief Executive Jack Oguda says the move, if it succeeds, will give Oliech a chance to regain his lost glory and should be an inspiration to other players.