By Vincent Voiyoh
Legendary Kenyan striker Dennis Oliech is willing to join AFC Leopards after his sacking from Gor Mahia last week.
The 34-year-old was dismissed following allegations of misconduct, poor performance and political ambitions after a campaign poster of him emerged online over the vacant Kibra parliamentary seat.
Oliech, who signed for K’Ogalo in January 2018, is now pondering his next move and has not ruled out Gor’s arch-rivals Leopards.
“I still have like three years to play active football and I have various options. I can even join AFC Leopards. I have no problem with that,” Oliech told People Daily.
When contacted, Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda said the club would be open to signing Oliech if they deemed him the key to their ambitions.
“A club can sign anyone. We are looking at a number of options and he is among the players now available in the market. We hope to have finalised our list by tomorrow (today) afternoon when the transfer window closes,” said Shikanda.
Asked if Oliech’s perceived huge salary demands could be a stumbling block and also spark uproar in Leopards’ dressing room, Shikanda said. “We cannot sign anyone before looking at the wage bill. If we deem a player important and we think we can afford him, we will go for him.”
Controversial move
If indeed the transfer materialises, then Oliech will join a list of star players who made the controversial move from Gor to Leopards and vice versa.
Shikanda himself, John ‘Zangi’ Okello, George Sunguti, Joseph Atitwa and Paul Ochieng are among players who played for both Gor and Leopards with their moves not taken well always by either of the sides.
Meanwhile, Oliech has vowed to move to court to seek compensation for what he terms unlawful dismissal.
“I have told the club treasurer that incase I write to them, I will be doing so as a former Gor Mahia player. I will be demanding my full pay for one year, including my signing on fee. After that, I will get another club. There are a lot of teams like Wazito, Mathare United, Tusker and even Leopards,” added Oliech, dismissing Gor’s claims that he was indisciplined.
“Officials have been really keen on me and other experienced players because we stand with the truth whenever there is a problem and we cannot keep calm. A good example is Francis Kahata whose contract was not renewed. They have always seen me as one of the inciters,” said the former Ajaccio, Nantes and Auxerre striker.
However, Gor CEO Lordvick Aduda said Oliech deserves no compensation, terming his dismissal a just course.
