Former Harambee Stars captain and Kenya’s all-time top goal scorer Dennis “The Menace” Oliech has been unveiled as the Pamoja Brand Ambassador for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which officially kicks off this Saturday across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The announcement was made on Friday morning during a special breakfast meeting between former Harambee Stars players and Ministry of Sports officials, led by Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, at Kasarani.
Mvurya hailed Oliech’s appointment as a strategic move to honour national football legends and galvanize public support for the national team. “As the ambassador, I believe he will rally Kenyans behind the team to inspire Harambee Stars to perform well during this CHAN,” the CS said.
Oliech’s ambassadorial role is expected to enhance fan engagement and national pride throughout the month-long tournament. His legendary status, earned through a prolific career spanning Mathare United, Al-Arabi, French Ligue 1 sides Nantes and Auxerre, and Gor Mahia, makes him a symbolic figure for Kenyan football.
The striker scored 34 goals in 76 appearances for the national team, including the memorable 2003 goal against Cape Verde that secured Kenya’s qualification for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.
CHAN 2024 opens on Saturday with hosts Tanzania facing Burkina Faso at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam. Harambee Stars, debuting under South African coach Benni McCarthy, will play their first match on Sunday against two-time champions DR Congo at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium.
Written By Rodney Mbua
