Kenyan Football Fraternity Reacts To Legend Dennis Oliech's Retirement
20th January 2020
Oliech celebrated his 19th birthday in supreme fashion by scoring a goal and setting up the other two as Kenya battled to an impressive 3-0 victory, still the first and then only victory registered by Stars at the AFCON finals.
- The entire Kenyan football fraternity took to the internet to offer their well wishes as Harambee Stars record goal scorer Dennis Oliech announced his retirement from the beautiful game
- The veteran forward last played for record Kenyan Premier League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia FC, where he scored seven goals in 14 appearances
- Often making as many headlines about his misdeeds including bar brawls and breaking team curfew during his decade as the lynchpin of Stars attack, Oliech played his best football in national colours under legend Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee
NAIROBI, Kenya-
The entire Kenyan football fraternity took to the internet to offer their well wishes
as Harambee Stars record goal scorer Dennis Oliech announced his retirement from
the beautiful game.
The veteran forward last played for record Kenyan Premier
League (KPL) champions Gor Mahia FC, where he scored seven goals in 14
appearances.
Considered as arguably the best forward that Kenya has ever
produced, that moment in time proved to be the stepping stone for the striker
who went on to have a fruitful playing career in Europe after his talent came
to the fore at SportPesa Premier League side Mathare United FC.
Oliech went on to play in Qatar and in the French Ligue 1
with Nantes and Auxerre and remains Kenya’s all-time leading goal scorer with
34 goals from 72 appearances.
“All the best in your
future endeavors Kajole, Dennis Oliech today announced his retirement from
football, he is the all time top scorer in the Kenyan national football team.
Dennis was loaded with trickery pace and strength, football misses you,”
Football Kenya Federation wrote on their official Twitter account.
Often making as many headlines about his misdeeds including
bar brawls and breaking team curfew during his decade as the lynchpin of Stars
attack, Oliech played his best football in national colours under legend Jacob ‘Ghost’
Mulee.
“He is the menace. For lack of a better word, I think that
describes him best.
“If there was ever a player that I coached throughout my
career who was hungry for football and had an undeniable passion for the game,
it was Oliech,” the former national team head coach Mulee stated.
Oliech celebrated his 19th birthday in supreme fashion by
scoring a goal and setting up the other two as Kenya battled to an impressive
3-0 victory, still the first and only victory registered by Stars at the AFCON
finals.
“Former Harambee
Stars prolific striker Dennis Oliech has retired from professional football. At
19 years, he was listed by British newspaper the Guardian as one of
the world’s most wanted young players alongside Rooney, Robinho, RVP and Sneijder,”
football pundit Elijah Kyama stated.
“Dennis Oliech will remain the greatest footballer to have
ever played for @HarambeeStars_
a joy to watch at his prime days. Thanks for the memories man and all the best
in retirement. They should allow him to get into coaching, to offer his
prowess,” Thomson Muthama added on Twitter.
Before that 85th rocket winner against Cape Verde that
confirmed Stars entry into Tunisia 2004, Oliech made headlines on December 14,
2002 when a desperate Mulee summoned him from the bench and what the teenager
did next stunned the packed CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza into silence.
“The best striker
Kenya has ever produced. He played in Europe and led Harambee Stars to many
glories. He has retired from football but we won’t forget Oliech. His goal
against Cape Verde will always be in my mind. You remain the greatest Kenya has
ever produced.
“I wish this legend a happy retirement!” Jack
Awuondo declared.