Oliech said the Kisumu Day alumnus has earned the right to don the red and white of the national team by virtue of his performances in the green jersey of K’Ogalo in the FKF Premier League.

“Yes, he should use him in the national team because he is in his prime. Time is also moving fast and soon he will be old or he might even suffer an injury. When you see that almost 90 per cent of Kenyan football fans are looking at him and supporting him, it shows that he is good. He deserves another chance and if he fails, only then will the coach be justified to keep him out of the squad,” Oliech said.

The former Western Stima striker has been a man on a mission, notching six goals in six matches in the current season to once again stamp his status as the top favourite for the golden boot.

His latest achievement was a fortnight ago when he scored a brace against arch-rivals AFC Leopards in the Mashemeji Derby to hand K’Ogalo a 2-0 win at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani.

Omalla’s blazing start continues what has been a imperious form from the former Manyatta United man who hit the back of the net 26 times as Gor claimed another league title last season.

His love affair with goals notwithstanding, Omalla is yet to make his national team debut much to the chagrin of many football enthusiasts who believe the striker is an asset Harambee Stars could use.

Oliech, reflecting on Omalla’s young career thus far, said the fact that the striker is playing for a club of K’Ogalo’s calibre is enough evidence of his abilities.

“At the end of the day, for me, I think Omalla is a very disciplined player. If that was not the case, he would not be playing for a huge club like Gor. It is a club that would not entertain undisciplined players who don’t report for training. He is the best candidate to induct into the national team,” the Kamukunji High School old boy said.

Oliech, who had professional stints at French clubs Nantes, Auxerre and Ajaccio, among others, used himself as an example of a player who was trusted enough to be blooded into the national team at a young age.

‘Wuod Mary’ — as he is known among adoring fans — went on to leave an indelible mark in the national team, scoring 34 goals in 76 matches, including a worldie against Cape Verde to qualify Kenya for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.

Oliech said he had to bid his time behind the pecking order of marksmen in the national team.

“I got into the national team when I was 17 and there were other strikers in front of me such as Mike Okoth who was the main one. I had to be patient and wait for my time, which eventually came. I was given my chance at a young age and I believe the same should be extended to Omalla,” Oliech said.

Even as he waxed lyrical about K’Ogalo’s dangerman, Oliech also called on Kenyans to lay off Stars’ striker Michael Olunga who has bore the brunt of criticism in the past week after another dour display.

The Al Duhail striker was guilty of missing two gilt-edged chances in Monday’s friendly against Russia in Turkey with a section of online fans calling for him to be relegated to the bench.

Oliech reminded Kenyans that the former Gor Mahia forward has been a pivotal part of the national team’s successes albeit he conceded that that may no longer be the case in the near future.

“For me, he is one of the best that we have…after me, I would say he is Kenya’s next best striker. He may not have scored in around two or three matches but he has been very helpful to the national team. He is our current top scorer so it would be unfair to bash him. However, his time at the top is almost coming to an end and thus, we need to have Omalla in the team,” he said.

The legendary striker has partnered with Beyond Hoops — a non-governmental sports organisation — to hold this year’s edition of the Dare to Dream Festival 2023 at the Riruta Stadium in Dagoretti South.

The one-day event will be used to select Dagoretti All Star Teams for both boys and girls, who will take part in the the Africa Connect International Trials Showcase set for December this year at the Lenana School.

If selected, the footballers will secure scholarships to study and play football in the United States.

The festival will involve five sports disciplines namely, football, basketball, freestyle football, esports and spoken word.