Oliech calls for ‘new approach’ to match West Africa football giants

Oliech singled out formidable football structures and facilities as the reasons West African players are more exposed to top-level football than their regional peers, producing an incredibly culturally diverse and savvy crop of players as East Africa continues to eat their crumbs as performance on the international and continental levels is poor.

The Stars record scorer, who has been among African legends at the ongoing Afcon in Ivory Coast, also warns lack of requisite infrastructural facilities could cost Kenya the hosting rights for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

“I have spoken to a FIFA official  and he has told me we have to be ready in the next two years and if we are not they will take the rights away from us so there is need for us to fasten the process,” Oliech told Citizen TV.

The former Auxerre and Ajaccio attacker has also expressed interest in joining the race for the FKF presidency.

“This time round we are not going to let it go. We have to take over the leadership of Kenyan football and kick out the selfishness that is going on.  So I will vie for the presidency if all goes well but if not I will support either Mariga or Hussein Mohammed.”

The former striker also urged Kenyans to develop a football-mad culture which he says is vital in the bid to make Kenya a football roost in the region.

“The passion for football in this country (Ivory Coast) is out of this world. Every small space you find people are playing football because they want to run away from the high level of poverty in the country.

“Every time they tell you there are two ways to go to Europe; either by playing football or you cross the Red Sea by boat and so football is the best option here for success in life.”