NAIROBI, Kenya, May 26 – Harambee Stars head coach, Adel Amrouche, has axed former captain, Dennis Oliech from the starting line-up for Friday’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations return leg away to Comoros.
Oman based Midfielder Jamal Mohammed will also not be involved due to illness with the Belgian dropping the AC Ajaccio forward to the bench on disciplinary grounds with the record goal scorer said to have absconded camp.
Oliech who trained with the team on Tuesday, three days to the match failed to report back to camp after the first leg tie where they won 1-0, going missing for the last 10 days.
“I’ve spoken with Oliech and it seems he has a personal problem which I cannot comment on but he knows the rule 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.
“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,” an angry Amrouche stormed after Tuesday’s training at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.
The Belgian continued to say, “David Ochieng and Mohammed were sick and they came to ask for permission and I gave them but Ochieng reported to training and for Mohammed he has not come back yet so I will not give him a chance since he has not trained.”
This is not the first time Oliech has disappeared from camp despite being in the country.
Before the first leg, he among other foreign based payers joined camp three days to the match after jetting in few days earlier, something that enraged Amrouche and last year, he was also dropped from Kenya’s final 2014 World Cup qualifier at home to Nigeria on similar grounds.
Meanwhile, Norway based first choice custodian; Arnold Origi is expected in the country tonight for the second leg after missing the opener due to commitments with his Lillestrom side.
The return of Origi will see, Bandari custodian Wilson Obugu who started relegated to the bench.
“We spoke in the morning and he confirmed he was coming so I expect him in camp tonight. He is a good goal keeper and we welcome him back,” Amrouche stated.
About the return leg in Moroni, the coach said he expects a tough encounter since the Islanders already understands how they play.
“We are preparing for the game seriously but it’s not easy since I don’t have all my players, for example from Tusker and Gor Mahia who were playing yesterday but most important we are working as a team and we hope to give our best in Comoros.
“Our objective is to qualify for next year’s Afcon and nothing else,” he concluded.
Top Fry Nakuru forward John Ndirangu is the latest inclusion in the team that is set to depart Wednesday for the match that will be played on Friday.
Stars have a 1-0 advantage and a draw of any kind will see them progress to the next stage where they will meet the winner between Liberia/ Lesotho and if they progress, Group C that features 2013 Afcon finalists Burkina Faso, Gabon and Angola awaits.
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