It’s been 16 years since Harambee Stars won 3-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier and on Sunday, Stars put up a stellar performance with a convincing 3-0 win over Ethiopia in a 2019 Afcon Group “F” qualifier at Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani.
Dennis Oliech alongside John Baraza, Musa Otieno and scored a goal apiece as Jacob “Ghost” Mulee-coached Kenya thumped Togo 3-0 on September 7, 2002 at Kasarani in the 2004 Afcon qualifier.
It took over a decade for Michael Olunga together with Eric Johanna and Victor Wanyama to score a goal each and replicate that result at a fully-packed Kasarani stadium, this time round under French coach Sebastien Migne.
Olunga set the ball rolling in the 23rd minute, scoring a beautiful goal with his wicked left foot. he could have added a second later on in the match, but he scuffed his effort wide after dribbling past two defenders.
The ‘Engineer’, as he is commonly referred to has continued to shine for both the na
Olunga made his debut for the Kenya national team in a friendly against Seychelles at the Stade Linité in Victoria on 28 March 2015. He scored his first goal for the Harambee Stars in a friendly against South Sudan which resulted in a 2–0 win.Whereas Dennis Oliech played his first international match in 2002, when Kenya lost to Nigeria 3–0. He scored five goals at the 2002 CECAFA Cup, leading Kenya to the title as well as getting the top scorer award.
Olunga is among the top earners’ sportsmen in the country, pocketing a cool Sh15 million a month, having signed a 3-year-deal.
Oliech scored three goals, including the winning goal against Cape Verde Islands in the final match of 2004 African Cup of Nations qualification as Kenya qualified for the final tournament. He also scored a goal in a 3–0 win over Burkina Faso in the 2004 African Cup of Nations itself.
In 2005, Oliech made controversy when he refused to join the national team squad after officials from the Kenya Football Federation (KFF) told him was owed them US$1,700.
His mother defended him, believing he has a right to demand for his money from the Kenya Football Federation. Days before that, Oliech injured his knee ahead of a 2006 World Cup qualifier,but later revealed he quickly recovered from the minor injury. Eight days later, Oliech apologized for his behavior over the entire situation.
In 2016, Oliech announced his retirement from international football.Michael Olunga starred for Harambee Stars on Sunday at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, scoring the first goal as the home team beat Ethiopia 3-0 to boost their hopes of qualifying for the AFCON tournament.
