Dennis Oliech makes stance on Harambee Stars as World Cup qualifiers loom

FOOTBALL Dennis Oliech makes stance on Harambee Stars as World Cup qualifiers loom

Mark Kinyanjui 08:06 - 22.10.2023

After taking part in high-profile friendly matches this year, legendary striker Dennis Oliech has given his opinion on Harambee Stars ahead of the World Cup qualifiers

Former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech has lauded Football Kenya Federation for setting up quality friendly games for the national team since the country’s international ban was lifted by FIFA.

The former goal-getter has asked Kenyans to be realistic and allow the national team to take it one step at a time if it is ever to stand a chance of improving massively in the years to come.

Kenya has earned a reputation of being an athletics nation considering that it is the most successful sport in the nation, but flattered to deceive in football as it has missed more Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments than it has participated in.

Oliech believes that Kenya must first prioritise becoming a mainstay at the AFCON before it can start pondering about World Cup participation.

“We have to go to the cup of nations first as quickly as possible,” Oliech said during the launch of the Youth Connect Africa Summit in Nairobi earlier this week.

“We have to start by becoming a mainstay at the cup of nations before we think about qualifying for the World Cup.”

Kenya has been placed in Group F of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers alongside Seychelles, Gabon, The Gambia, Ivory Coast and Burundi.

They will launch their campaign this November against Gabon and Seychelles away from home. Should they win, it will give them a good platform to continue their journey towards qualifying for a maiden World Cup.

Kenya will participate in very competitive matches in 2024, considering the fact that the AFCON qualifiers for the Morocco tournament in 2025 will take place next year.