)
Former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech has given reasons why he feels it would have been wise to play Harambee Stars home matches in Uganda or Tanzania and not Malawi.
Former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech is of the view that Harambee Stars’ matches against Burundi and Ivory Coast should have been taken to a neigbouring country instead of Malawi.
Kenya is due to host Burundi and Ivory coast in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers but will not enjoy home support due to a lack of an approved venue as Kasarani and Nyayo Stadiums undergo renovations ahead of CHAN 2024 and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
That has forced the country to look for alternative venues to host their matches with Malawi the selected nation after welcoming Kenya in the Four-Nations tournament in March.
However, legendary striker Oliech feels it would have been much easier for Kenyan fans to travel to a neighbouring nation and offer the team support compared to Malawi which poses logistical challenges.
“Why should we go so far, why not Uganda or Tanzania? They now even feel they are better than us so we have to face the consequences. Tanzania and Uganda are our friends, why can’t we ask them to give us a venue?” Oliech told Pulse Sports.
Oliech feels it will be a tall order for Kenya to win without a partisan crowd and would have preferred if the country sought a venue closer home since many Kenyans are always eager to travel.
“The chances of winning are now less but it is football and you cannot say anything on what has not happened. However, the game should not have gone that far. I was ready to travel to Tanzania,” added Oliech.
“I remember when we played against Uganda in Kampala and how many people travelled. I hired two buses and we had like 60 people, so tell me about Malawi now?
“They have taken it too far, maybe they have their own reasons but if we were to travel to Uganda, Tanzania or Rwanda, a ticket is affordable.”
Playing in Uganda would, however, not have been possible given the Mandela National Stadium (Namboole), which as granted approval by CAF last week, will be used by the Uganda Cranes in their home matches against Botswana and Algeria next month.
Tanzania could perhaps have been the best option as Taifa Stars will play away from home against Zambia.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)