Gor Mahia striker Dennis Oliech has been a revelation this season with a string of awesome performances that have seen Gor Mahia record some pretty good results despite starting the season on a Low.
Oliech’s classic goal against Zamaleck FC in the CAF Confederations Cup all but confirmed that the Striker still got that magical touch needed to kill matches.
With this in mind, a number of Kenyan football lovers were rooting for the legendary striker to make it to the CHAN and AFCON squad but this was not to be as coach Sebastien Migne overlooked him during selection.
Migne has now come out to explain why he snubbed Oliech from his squad.
Migne, who called 25 local-based players for the one-day-a-week training sessions in Nairobi, said that Oliech was left out of the squad because of his not so convincing conversion rates.
“First, it’s necessary for him to score in his club, not only in penalties and to show me his qualities,” Migne said after he took the team through their paces at the Kenya School of Monitory Studies on Tuesday.
The Frenchman, however, said that the door is not shut for the Gor Mahia striker to return to the national team. “I told you the door is open, but I think, for example, this kind of familiarization is not so important, actually for him. He has massive experience. I need to give experience for these players.
“If I need him just before the qualification for Chan or Afcon, I think I know the way to find him, to discuss with him and maybe to take him. I’m not afraid.”
Migne also said he was considering calling more players to the squad, among the Oliech’s striking partner Nicholas Kipkirui.
“Today it was difficult to have players from Gor Mahia because they have a game tomorrow (Wednesday) but next weeks, Kipkirui, for example, will come with me, depending on what I can see on the field tomorrow.”