Oliech left out of the Kenyan squad to face Malawi

Dennis Oliech’s international future as Kenyan captain appeared to be over after he was left out of the squad for Wednesday’s World Cup against Malawi in Blantyre.

The AC Ajaccio striker, who sat out last Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to Nigeria on suspension, was omitted from the team which travelled to Malawi on Sunday after he failed to join the rest of team in training camp ahead of their departure. Head coach Adel Amrouche said he had lost confidence in the player and has tapped Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama, who wore the captain’s armband against Nigeria, to be confirmed in the new role.

“I think it is time to make changes to the team. I can assure you that Victor Wanyama remains as the Harambee Stars captain even after the suspension of Dennis Oliech is lifted,” Amrouche told reporters before departure.

“He is not a role model to other players due to his off-field activities and late arrival to camp,” he added.

It is not the first time that Oliech has fallen foul of the coach.

The player, who has scored three goals in the World Cup qualifiers, refused to travel with the Harambee Stars for a world cup qualifier in Guinea in June 2005 after he was involved in a pay dispute with the national federation.

He was also left out of the team by then coach Francis Kimanzi during the first leg of the 2014 World Cup qualifying against Malawi which ended in a barren draw in Nairobi last June.

Wanyama picked up a leg injury against Nigeria and remains doubtful for Wednesday’s match but he accompanied the squad that left for Blantyre on Sunday morning.

Kenya need victory to move off the bottom of Group F, where they currently placed with only two points from four matches.

Malawi occupy second spot, two points behind group leaders, Nigeria, who play away at third-placed Namibia in Windhoek on Wednesday.

The top team from the group will progress to the next round.

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