Dennis Oliech The Menace is back!
The former Harambee Stars captain on Wednesday announced his comeback in the Kenya Premier League, scoring his first goal for Gor Mahia on his full debut.
The 33-year-old striker, on his second game for the 17-time league champions, found the back of the net in first-half stoppage time against Posta Rangers at Safaricom Stadium Kasarani.
The Menace, who was handed the captain’s armband by Hassan Oktay, scored the match-winner after Charles Momanyi had opened the scores with a 27th-minute strike.
Posta Rangers’ Francis Nambute made it level in the 41st-minute goal before Oliech secured maximum points, effectively silencing his naysayers who had written him off as a spent cartridge.
Oliech had come under sharp criticism from some sections, especially after failing to inspire Gor to a win on his debut against Mathare United on Sunday. Dennis Oliech came on as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 draw with the slum boys.
The win over Rangers lifts Gor Mahia to fifth on the table with 10 points.
On January 2, K’Ogalo signed Oliech on a two-year deal, marking his return to domestic football 15 years since featuring for Mathare United as a teenager.
The all-time Harambee Stars goal-scorer with 34 goals will earn Sh350,000 a month, with his signing fee reported to be worth more than Sh3 million, which will be paid in two installments.
Oliech’s match-winning goal earned him rave reviews on social media, with some football fans calling for him to be included in the Harambee Stars squad to Afcon 2019.
Read some sampled reactions below.
Moja safi after game with the legend Dennis Oliech #Bado24 goals .@OfficialGMFC #Sirkal #Offside pic.twitter.com/gDSy5NAF2Y
— mojezz (@mojezzkabro) January 9, 2019
Dennis Oliech should be included in Harambee Stars squad for #Afcon2019 #TheScoreKE pic.twitter.com/SjDBWFm2j9
— JimRose Muthii (@JimRose1103) January 9, 2019
Dennis Oliech No. 1 trending in Kenya. Maintain the form Legend.
— JAMES MUTHOMI KIRIMI (@Optom_James) January 9, 2019
Dennis Oliech . . . keep doing your thing . . . still an inspiration to many upcoming footballers out there |
— Zeddy DAN (@ZeddyDan) January 9, 2019
Dennis Oliech akiwa Gor ni kama Zlatan time alikua Man U
— Menigo Menthoya (@MenigoMenthoya) January 9, 2019
Dennis Oliech is a true testimony that when God is not finished with you yet then no matter how people try to hate on you and put you down,
Almighty God will always pick you back up again!
The unwritten story of Denno continues, it’s just the beginning!
The Biblical Job! Shine!— Joshua Jerry (@JoshuaJerry) January 9, 2019
Wayne Rooney is the Kenyan Dennis Oliech, what a legend.
— Ramapithecus (@RamzZy_) January 9, 2019
Dennis Oliech scores his first goal since his return to Premier League. Karibu sana ndugu
— Philip Etale (@EtalePhilip) January 9, 2019
Big up Dennis Oliech!! The legend must be included in our Afcon team. @Nmwendwa Goal 1 for @GormahiaLive pic.twitter.com/dcWAgmzZWe
— Luhya Pounds (Anderson) (@luhya_pounds) January 9, 2019
Dennis Oliech is too talented not to make an impact in the KPL… More goals to come… #TheScoreKE pic.twitter.com/zZtHxWJ9JQ
— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) January 9, 2019
Dennis Oliech. Welcome to Harambee Stars.
Pardon my earlier criticism. I didn’t know what I was doing. pic.twitter.com/XyJOSqhlhE— Ian Muyumba (@ianmuyumba) January 9, 2019
Dennis Oliech first reaction after scoring his first goal for GOR MAHIA at Kasarani Stadium, Incidentally his first goal for Harambee Stars came at the same stadium. #Sirkal pic.twitter.com/i9RkTbdPkg
— GOR MAHIA (@GormahiaLive) January 9, 2019
Dennis Oliech scores in first half stoppage time in his full debut for Gor Mahia against Posta Rangers…#ReturnoftheMenace pic.twitter.com/6LuC4ecn5t
— #TeamShaffie (@ShaffieWeru) January 9, 2019
1st Goal, 2nd Appearance in 2019!
Dennis Oliech scores his first goal for Gor Mahia against Posta Rangers.#SPL #MakeItCount pic.twitter.com/7VDPSn9Fki
— SportPesa Care (@SportPesa_Care) January 9, 2019
