Kenya legend slams Benni McCarthy for dropping Michael Olunga | OneFootball

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Benni criticized for Olunga decision

Photo: Kelly Ayoudi / BackPagePix

Kenyan legend Dennis Oliech has launched a scathing attack on national team head coach Benni McCarthy over his decision to drop Michael Olunga in the latest squad.

The Harambee Stars will play two friendly matches against Equatorial Guinea on Friday, 14 November and Senegal four days later, with both games set to be staged in Antalya, Turkey.

However, the matches have been marred by the omission of Olunga, who is one goal shy of matching the all-time top goal scorer record held by William Ouma, who netted 35 times for Kenya.

Now, Oliech, who scored 34 goals for Kenya, like Olunga, before retiring from international football in 2016, criticized the Bafana Bafana legend for snubbing the Al-Arabi center-forward.

“Olunga deserves to be in the Harambee Stars' squad. The coach doesn't deserve to leave Olunga out because he is the leading captain and best striker for Kenya. Until Olunga says I have retired, it is when he should be left out of the squad,” he said as quoted by Flashscore.

"Having Olunga in the squad and with the experience he has, will motivate the young players in the team. It is unfortunate Kenya is going to Turkey without experienced players, even the young players will feel burdened with the opportunity of playing minus experienced players guiding them.

The former Kenya international argued that seasoned professionals bring experience and stability in the team and believes Olunga should be picked until he decides to hang up his boots.

“If you have experienced players in your team, it is not necessary they start a game, they can come from the bench and make a huge impact, and by doing so it will be a big motivation for the young players,” Oliech added.

"This will motivate the young players because they need to learn from someone, and that someone is an experienced player. So, for me I still believe Olunga is part and parcel of the national team and should not be ignored.

"In the next two to three years, Olunga deserves to play for Kenya until he says no, I can't run anymore, it is my time to retire, that is when we will accept.