Dennis Oliech ends exile to return to Kenya fold

Former Kenya captain Dennis Oliech has ended his international exile just days ahead of the start of the country's 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Oliech quit the team in April after Football Kenya Federation (FKF) said the striker could not be paid for his role in an advertisement.

"I can proudly say Oliech is back in Harambee Stars after fruitful talks with him," said FKF boss Sam Nyamweya.

"We're relieved because we didn't have a reliable and experienced striker."

Nyamweya added that Oliech, whose Auxerre side were relegated from the French first division earlier this month, will join up with the squad on Tuesday.

Kenya's Harambee Stars open their Group F campaign against Malawi in Nairobi on Saturday.

They take on Namibia in Windhoek on the weekend of 9-10 June but must wait until 2013 before meeting group rivals Nigeria.

Kenya have never qualified for the World Cup.

Oliech's return is also a boost ahead of next month's 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo.

The Harambee Stars lead the tie 2-1 from the first leg at home, a narrow advantage they must protect if they are to reach the third and final qualifying round in September and October.

Oliech quit international football after rowing with FKF last month, saying he should have been paid money after sponsors of the federation used his picture in a billboard advertisement.

Both FKF and its sponsor denied his claims over a photograph which also depicted international colleagues McDonald Mariga and Bob Mugalia.