Dennis Oliech to attend coaching course in South Africa

Former Harambee Stars striker Dennis Oliech is set to leave the country for a professional coaching workshop in South Africa.

The workshop, sponsored by online betting firm betway Kenya, is meant to give the retired Kenyan international striker groundwork for future in coaching, social development, technical skills, age training and the organisational skills necessary to run football tournaments.

The one-week training will take place at the South Africa World Coaches Konink Nederlandse Voetbal Bond (KNVB) workshop.

“Our aim is to equip Dennis with the essential skills a football coach needs. He will then be able to pass on that knowledge as well as skills to youth in Kenya,” said betway Kenya manager Wanja Gikonyo.

The South Africa World Coaches KNVB Workshop has ambassadors such as Nigerian great Nwankwo Kanu, Dutch legends Ruud Gullit, Philip Cocu, Pierre Van Hooijdonk and former Zambian star Kalusha Bwalya.

The KNVB program has trained coaches in countries around the world since 1997 and specialises in transforming individuals ranging from physical education teachers to former professional footballers – all into World Coaches who then impart their knowledge on their communities.

“This is the first among many training opportunities that betway has lined up for Dennis. As our ambassador, he will be heavily involved in football talent development across the country. This is one of the ways we are contributing towards spurring development of football in Kenya.”

Oliech made his senior national team debut in 2002 as a 17-year-old against Nigeria in an international friendly in Lagos.

Oliech scored 34 goals for the national team in 68 appearances.

He turned professional in 2003 and has played for Al-Arabi in Qatar, French Ligue 1 teams Nantes and AJ Ajaccio, French Ligue 2 side Auxerre and Dubai CSC in the UAE Division 1 league.

He leaves for South Africa on Saturday.