NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan football legend Dennis “The Menace” Oliech has been unveiled as the official Pamoja Brand Ambassador for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which kicks off this Saturday across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The announcement was made on Friday morning during a special breakfast hosted at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium, bringing together former Harambee Stars players and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Sports.
“As the ambassador, I believe he (Oliech) will rally Kenyans behind the team to inspire Harambee Stars to perform well during this CHAN,” said CS Mvurya.
The appointment is part of a broader strategy to enhance fan engagement and rally national support for Harambee Stars, who are making their tournament debut under South African head coach Benni McCarthy.
Oliech’s Legacy Anchors CHAN 2024 Hopes
A household name in Kenyan football, Oliech remains Kenya’s all-time top scorer, with 34 goals in 76 international appearances.
His most iconic moment came in 2003 when he scored the decisive goal against Cape Verde to secure Kenya’s qualification for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.
His professional career saw him rise from Mathare United to international stints in Qatar with Al-Arabi, and later in France’s Ligue 1, where he featured for FC Nantes and AJ Auxerre, scoring 25 goals in 165 appearances for the latter.
He also played for AC Ajaccio and had a short stint in the UAE before returning to Kenya to feature for Gor Mahia in 2019.
“His story is part of Kenya’s football heritage. Appointing him is not just symbolic — it is powerful,” noted one Ministry official.
Tournament Begins as Harambee Stars Face DR Congo
The CHAN 2024 tournament begins Saturday, with hosts Tanzania opening the 19-team competition against Burkina Faso at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars will open their campaign on Sunday at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium against two-time champions Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
As brand ambassador, Oliech is expected to play a central role in driving national pride and amplifying the tournament’s visibility both locally and across the region.
