By GILBERT WANDERA

Many local fans still remember Patrick Oboya scoring against Angola in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Nyayo Stadium four years ago.

The goal enabled Kenya to win the match 2-1, but they still did not make it to the Africa Cup of Nations held in Ghana in 2008 though Oboya ended the campaign as the country’s top scorer with two goals.

However, since then injury problems and lack of top class football conspired to keep out one of the country’s most exciting attacking midfielders from the national team.

His recent move to Slovakia has, however, brought a new lease of life to Oboya and he has recently earned a call up to the national team for next months Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi.

Oboya is delighted to be back in the team after a long lay off and he expressed confidence he can add something positive to the side.

“I am excited to be back to help my country. This is a great honour for me and the pressure is on me to repay back coach Francis Kimanzi’s faith and belief in me,” he said.

Having been away for long, Oboya said he feels like a new player and pointed out it will take extra effort to get a starting line-up in the team.

“It will not be easy coming back, but I am determined to work extra hard for it. Right now I feel like a new player who has just earned his first call up,” he said.

Oboya also admitted that the absence of top striker Dennis Oliech will be a big blow to the team if he does not turn up for the match.

“Oliech is an important part of this team. His absence and that of Allan Wanga will be greatly felt because they have always scored goals for this team,” he said. While Oliech has announced his retirement, Wanga has been ruled out due to injury.

Oboya expressed optimism that Kenya has a realistic chance of making it to the 2013 Africa Cup of  Nations finals in South Africa and will also do well in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

He said the current squad has a lot of potential and determination to do well.

“On a personal note, I feel great about my shape and fitness. After leaving FK Most, I went to MFK Ružomberok in Slovakia and this now gives me an opportunity to play topflight football,”

“Our current squad is very ambitious and looks forward to feature in either the Champions League or the Europa League,” he said.