Amrouche boots bad boy Oliech out of Stars team

Adel Amrouche has finally cracked the whip on errant Dennis Oliech leaving the  star striker out of his 20-man squad that  jetted out on Wednesday for Moroni, Comoros for their Africa Cup of Nations first round, second leg tie.

Kenya carry a 1-0 advantage to the match that will be held tomorrow.

Oliech rubbed the Belgian coach the wrong way after he abscond training for one week.

On Tuesday, Amrouche, made it clear that the 29-year-old AC Ajaccio striker will not be part of his plans in the Comoros tie and though he accommodated him in camp for two days.

‘The Menace’ as he is fondly known has been an ever present feature in the national team, but has clashed with past tacticians including Antoine Hey and  Bernard  Lama on disciplinary grounds.

The Stars striker has formed the habit of reporting to camp late and has seemingly got away many times under different coaches over the years.

OTHERS CAN SHINE

Tough talking Amrouche said that there are many other good players in camp who can to duty if given the chance.

Others dropped players are creative midfielder Jamal “Malo Malo” Mohammed, custodian Wycliffe Kasaya and Mathare United’s youngster Harrison Mwendwa.

Malo, 29, who plies his trade with Dhofar SC in Oman, was left because he is ill while AFC Leopards custodian Kasaya was dropped to pave way for Arnold Origi who linked up with the team on Tuesday evening.

The Lillestrom (Norway) shot stopper missed Kenya’s slim 1-0 first leg win owing to club commitments and is expected to reclaim the gloves from Bandari keeper Wilson Oburu who manned the posts on the day.

Kenya’s travelling squad: Arnold Origi, Wilson Oburu, Jerim Onyango, Musa Mohammed, James Situma, Aboud Omar, Lawrence Olum, David Owino, David Ochieng, Joackins Atudo, Victor Wanyama, Johanna Omollo, Francis Kahata, McDonald Mariga, Clifton Miheso, Geoffrey Kataka, Ayub Timbe, Allan Wanga, Edwin Lavatsa, Jacob Keli, Adel Amrouche (coach), James Nandwa, Ken Odhiambo (assistant coaches) Bruce Juma (team manager), Idd Salim (goalkeeper trainer).

Idd Salim (goalkeeper trainer) deputised in his absence as they aim at shocking the hosts at their backyard.

With a narrow 1-0 advantage, Stars cannot afford the luxury of deploying a defensive formation.A draw of any kind will see them through to round two of the preliminary clash with either Lesotho or Liberia.

BEST POSSIBLE SQUAD

Winners from this stage will then progress to the group campaign that includes Gabon, Angola and Burkina Faso.

Amrouche who has maintained that his priority is to compete with Africa’s finest at next year’s Cup of Nations showpiece to be held in Morocco was bullish ahead of the departure.

“I have the best possible squad. We have had ample training and whoever I pick to start should be able to do the job” said the former DC Motema Pembe coach who last year guided Harambee Stars to its first Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in 11 years.

Though the widely travelled coach was coy when asked on the likely formation he would deploy in Moroni, lanky Kansas City centre back Lawrence Olum is an overwhelming favourite to earn his second cap at the heart of defense after a solid first leg display.

He could partner fit-again Sanlam Santos defender Brian Mandela who trained with the team for the better part of the week following a return from a long injury lay off.

There is unlikely to be changes in the full back positiona with usual suspects David ‘Calabar’ Owino and Aboud Omar tipped to start.

In midfield Victor Wanyama would be a sure bet to hold the pact alongside  sibling MacDonald Mariga, Francis Kahata and Johanna Omollo- scorer of the beautiful 30-yard screamer that handed Stars victory in the first leg clash as Ayub Timbe, and Allan Wanga partner upfront in a two-prong attack.

FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Arnold Origi, Wilson Oburu, Jerim Onyango. Defenders: Musa Mohammed, James Situma, Aboud Omar, Lawrence Olum, David Owino, David Ochieng, Joackins Atudo. Midfielders: Victor Wanyama, Johanna Omollo, Francis Kahata, McDonald Mariga, Clifton Miheso, Geoffrey Kataka. Strikers:  Ayub Timbe, Allan Wanga, Edwin Lavatsa, Jacob Keli.
Head Coach: Adel Amrouche, Assistants: James Nandwa, Ken Odhiambo Team Manager: Bruce Juma Goalkeeper Trainer: Idd Salim