Oliech Returns To Leave Gor In Good Spirits For Tusker, Hussein Dey Tests

27th February 2019 - by Mutwiri Mutuota

Assistant head coach, Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno says the SPL champions are ready for a testing week in better shape following after the record Kenya goal scorer resumed training on Monday

Gor Mahia FC striker, Dennis Oliech on the phone after his team returned from the 2019 SportPesa Cup in Tanzania last month. PHOTO/File

SUMMARY

Oliech who has been a sensation since kick-starting his career with the record 17-time domestic titleholders, scoring four and assisting twice in seven appearances missed their critical 2-0 victory over NA Hussein Dey in the CAF Confederations Cup as well as their 1-1 draw against Western Stima FC in the SPL reportedly over a pay dispute with the club
Tusker (22) who are chasing a 12th crown could shoot up to fourth at the expense of 2009 champions Sofapaka FC with a win of their own
The forward who made a name in the French Ligue 1 league in his hey day- netted against the five-time African champions and Egyptian Premier League leaders 21 years after his late elder brother, Steve Okumu, accomplished the same

NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Harambee Stars captain and record scorer, Dennis Oliech, is in the frame to face Tusker FC Tuesday afternoon after resuming training with SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions, Gor Mahia FC.

Oliech who has been a sensation since kick-starting his career with the record 17-time domestic titleholders, scoring four and assisting twice in seven appearances missed their critical 2-0 victory over NA Hussein Dey in the CAF Confederations Cup as well as their 1-1 draw against Western Stima FC in the SPL reportedly over a pay dispute with the club.

However, Oliech returned to the K'Ogalo fold on Monday to give the titleholders a huge boost as they face the sixth-placed team that last denied the SPL title when the Brewers pipped them to the 2016 crown at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.

Gor are then set to depart the country on Friday to face Hussein Dey in the return fixture of their Pool D double header with a lead to protect having accumulated six points from three games, one ahead of Petro Atletico de Luanda with the Algerians (four) and Egyptian giants Zamalek FC (two) rounding off the standings.

Good spirits

The fixture was originally scheduled for the Moi International Stadium, Kasarani but communication from the Kenyan Premier League on Monday evening regretted the availability of the former, thus moving the game to Machakos with the kick-off remaining unchanged at 4pm local time (+3GMT).

"Oliech trained with the rest of the team and will be available for Tusker and our trip to Algeria. The team is in good spirits and we are aiming for good performances in a tough week," Gor assistant head coach and former captain, Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno, told SportPesa News ahead of their trip to Machakos.

Victory for Gor will bring them to within three points of SPL front runners, Bandari FC (31) and leapfrog Mathare United (29) into second on goal difference from 14 fixtures.

Tusker (22) who are chasing a 12th crown could shoot up to fourth at the expense of 2009 champions Sofapaka FC with a win of their own.

Oliech has been in scintillating form since ending his two-year hiatus, scoring the winner against Posta Ranger FC in the SPL while his strike to sign off a stunning 4-2 victory over Zamalek was a echo to the bygone era.

The forward who made a name in the French Ligue 1 league in his hey day- netted against the five-time African champions and Egyptian Premier League leaders 21 years after his late elder brother, Steve Okumu, accomplished the same.

His absence from the team sparked a huge debate on social media and the local giants are hoping they have drawn the line to the dispute with the record Kenya goal scorer.