By Fredrick Nadulli,
The Dennis Oliech-Adel Amrouche sparring monster has reared its ugly head yet again.One of Kenya’s most celebrated football sons has for the umpteenth time fallen out with the national team head coach.
Since he made his breakthrough into the Harambee Stars as a rookie teenager playing for Mathare United,the name Dennis Oliech has been first on the list everytime the team is announced.For over a decade the team was built around the speedy centreforward.He carried the hopes of the nation and was at one time the captain.The team was not complete without him,many argued.
Previous coaches held him in high esteem and the whole country demanded he plays every single time,regardless of his club form.That was Dennis Oliech for you.He was Kenya and Kenya was him.
Enter Adel Amrouche and the Oliech empire came tumbling.
His dominance and influence was under severe threat.The star player’s hitherto carefree antics were no longer tolerated in camp.The new man in charge had strong principles and a very rigid work ethic that meant whoever failed to toe the line or conform to his dictates had no place in the squad.To the player this was alien and unheard of.And so came the beef between Oliech and Amrouche.
COMOROS RETURN MATCH
When therefore news filtered in that the striker had been dismissed from residential training,few eyebrows were raised.Its an open secret known even to academy youngsters that Dennis and Adel dont see eye to eye.The coach considers him a bad role model with an inflated ego.
The player considers him high-handed.Here is a supposedly larger than life player against an abrasive coach eager to stamp his authority.Something had to give.
The striker is now likely to miss the crucial return leg qualifier in Comoros.Lest we forget,its not the first time the country is fed with such a scenario.At one time Dennis was dropped for a trip to Malawi after a fallout.
WHO KNEW WHAT WAYS
As a loyal servant and self proclaimed patriot,Dennis’ name resonates with the masses in every corner of this country.It has taken a massive lot to build his name and even play in the pro ranks.It would be disastrous if towards his football sunset Dennis destroys all his good work for Kenya by exiting the international stage so acrimoniously like this.National team players are reminiscent of soldiers who stand up for their motherland when called upon.
True,the player may feel aggrieved by who knows what,or sadly he may be heeding to the wrong advice,but it must not be lost on him that its his reputation on the line here.He would be judged harshly and labelled names.People would pour scorn on him.The country may never forgive him for his theatrics.
For Adel Amrouche,he has encountered numerous speed bumps on the line of duty but he has a vision for Kenya.He has principles which may rub certain people the wrong way.Some may say he he has a hot temper and sometimes lets personal grudges spill over to his professional life,but credit to him for he has managed to maintain a firm grip on the Harambee Stars ,home and abroad based.
He should be flexible enough and remember that the doors of national teams are never shut,they always revolve,unless under very extreme circumstances.He and Dennis Oliech are nowhere near extremity yet
N/B The writer is a former Kenyan International and Mathare United player
