Former Nantes and Harambee Stars striker Dennis Oliech has commended the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for appointing former national team goalkeeper Arnold Origi to oversee the goalkeeping department. Origi, who was appointed alongside head coach Kimanzi, is currently in Zanzibar with the team, participating in the invitational 2025 Mapinduzi Cup tournament.Oliech, whose international career began in 2002 when Kenya lost 3-0 to Nigeria, described Origi’s appointment as long overdue, noting that he has the required coaching credentials and experience to mentor young goalkeepers toward professional success.“FKF made the right call by hiring Origi. He played for the national team and has vast professional experience. I am confident we will see improvements in goalkeeping. We may even witness our goalkeepers securing professional contracts abroad because of his connections,” said Oliech.##NAJAVA_MECA_8624641##In a recent interview, Origi reflected on his return to the Harambee Stars, his unexpected transition into coaching, and his assessment of the current squad. “Being back with the national team is an honour. I’ve had the privilege of representing Harambee Stars as a player, and now I’m here as a goalkeeping coach. It’s a different but fulfilling role,” Origi shared. “Coaching wasn’t part of my original plan. I admired Gianluigi Buffon, who played into his 40s, and I hoped to do the same. But after my final contract at FC Hord in Norway, it became challenging to find a suitable offer. Fortunately, I had completed my UEFA goalkeeper coaching badges, and when I got the opportunity to train keepers at Ostersund, I discovered my passion for coaching. That’s how my journey began.”Harambee Stars prospect returns to English Premier League sideOliech, now 39, has urged the newly elected FKF leadership to reintroduce a special advisory board comprising former internationals. He believes such a board could help newly rumored coach Benni McCarthy (46) revamp the team. “The FKF President Hussein Mohammed and his deputy Macdonald Mariga should establish a board to oversee national team affairs,” said Oliech, who began his professional career in 2003 with Al-Arabi in Qatar. Oliech, who famously rejected an offer to switch his nationality to Qatari in 2004, expressed willingness to work with McCarthy if appointed, serving as an advisor on technical matters, forward development, and scouting. “We’ve tried individuals with no playing experience, and they’ve failed us. FKF should adopt a different approach by involving former players. I am ready to collaborate with coach Benni on technical issues,” he told Flashscore.Shabana reveal amount collected in league match against TuskerBeyond his tenure with Nantes, Oliech had a fruitful stint at Auxerre, recording 165 appearances and scoring 25 goals, before moving to AC Ajaccio, where he netted eight times in 50 matches. In 2015, he mutually terminated his contract with Ajaccio, which was set to expire in June of that year. Though Al Nasr of the UAE Arabian Gulf League was initially expected to sign him, he eventually joined Dubai CSC in the UAE Division 1 league.##NAJAVA_MECA_8629070##In 2019, Oliech returned to the Kenyan Premier League, joining reigning champions Gor Mahia before retiring. During his time at Gor Mahia, he made 19 appearances and scored five goals. Oliech also led Kenya to victory in the 2002 CECAFA Cup, scoring five goals and earning the top scorer award.Additionally, he played a pivotal role in Kenya’s qualification for the 2004 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), scoring three goals, including the decisive winner against Cape Verde. In the tournament itself, he scored in a 3-0 win over Burkina Faso.
