By Eric Odanga BBC Sport, Nairobi

Okoth has had a long career in Belgian football

Veteran Mike Okoth will make a return to Kenya's national team, as manager Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee prepares the Harambee Stars for next year's Nations Cup finals.

Mulee, who has been criticised by the media for renewing the international career of the 35-year-old striker, insists that the player has earned his right to fight for a place in the Nations Cup team.

"Mike is like old wine in a new bottle. Look at his current form," Mulee argued.

Okoth, who plays for Belgian club RWDM, was praised by Mulee for his discipline, which he said was responsible for his long career in Belgian football, where he has played for Harelbeke and Racing Genk.

Mulee also intends to give teenage striker Dennis Oliech a starting position in Kenya's second leg 2006 Nations Cup and World Cup qualifying match against Tanzania on 15 November.

Oliech had previously complained about his lack of consistent action with the Harambee Stars.

"I believe he is now ready for a full game, after using him sparingly as a substitute," Mulee admitted.

Mulee dropped strikers Francis Chinjili and Sweden-based Paul Oyuga for the November 15 game in Nairobi.

He is confident that John Baraza, Dennis Oliech, Lawrence Owino and Robert Mambo are capable of scoring the needed goals against Tanzania.

Mulee, whose side secured a goalless draw in the first leg in Dar-es-Salaam, said his team will have no problems in reaching the group stage of the 2006 qualifiers.