Tag: Boniface Oluoch

Polack praises Oluoch as world class

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Gor Mahia coach Steve Polack on Monday hailed goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch. Polack suggested that Oluoch was the key to Gor

“That was a world-class display from Boniface [Oluoch], he literally kept us in the game and also helped us to get the points,” Polack told goal.com.Mahia’s victory over Bandari.

Oluoch made a series of saves that helped Gor Mahia maintain a clean sheet. Most notable was his penalty save against Ugandan striker William Wadri.

“Bandari got a penalty and they could have staged a comeback had they scored but ‘Boni’ produced a world-class save to deny them, maybe had they scored, it could have given them the momentum to go for a second goal and the game could have easily changed the tide. “[Oluoch] played very well, he saved us, at 2-0 they could have scored from the penalty spot and then it could have been 2-1 and who knows, they could have kept troubling us for a second.” he continued.

Oluoch got a chance to prove himself during the International break when Gor Mahia played Al Ahli of Tripoli. And he has taken the chance with both hands.

“When your chance comes you have to take it whatever position, be it in goal, in defence, striking area, in the midfield and Oluoch has surprised me because he took his chance with both hands. He was terrific against Kakamega Homeboyz and against Bandari he has also performed well.” said Polack to goal.com

Oluoch lost his starting position due to some below par performances where he seemed far too nonchalant at times. So much so that coach Hassan Oktay insisted that the goalkeeping position is the one where the club badly needed a solution. Hence the arrival of Mapigano from Tanzania. It is this competition that created the spark that Oluoch needed to return to form.

“Remember in Gor Mahia we have three young goalkeepers who are very good and for him [Oluoch] to come back and put up such a good display is very amazing of him.” said Polack.

Polack Says Muguna is injured.

Explaining why skipper Kenneth Muguna did not feature against Bandari, coach Polack says that as far as he is concerned, Muguna missed the match due to injury.

“[Muguna] missed out because of injury, I had to keep the injury to myself and did not want to tell anyone,” said Polack to goal.com

Numerous outlets have reported that Muguna and Maurice Ojwang have requested release letters due to non-payment of salary which has not been paid in 3 months. Asked to comment on this, Polack responded that he is not aware of any release demands.

“I am not aware, all  I know is Muguna was out injured. Maybe he will be available when we face Ulinzi Stars in our next league match.” he said

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Boniface Oluoch pens 3 year deal

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Goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch has extended his stay at Kogalo by three years. The three year deal is a tad surprising considering that Oluoch had a season that was poor by his typically high standards. However the other goalkeepers in the squad did not inspire much confidence. Indeed the entire country of Kenya is now in the midst of a goalkeeping drought the likes of which has not been seen in decades.

Additional reporting from Citizen Sports.
Custodian Boniface Oluoch has penned a new three-year deal with champions Gor Mahia which should keep him at the club until October 2021.

By signing a new deal, Oluoch joins Wellington Ochieng who has also renewed his contract for a further three years.

Oluoch has been an important cog for K’Ogalo but has found his play time come under threat of late with Fredrick Odhiambo giving him a run for opportunities.

By committing his future to K’Ogalo, Oluoch will have to work extra hard to dislodge Odhiambo who was outstanding in the few matches he played.

Meanwhile, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier says they are in the process of recruiting more players, but failed to elaborate on the actual targets.

‘”We are not going to sign high profile players because of our financial situation. We will therefore sign affordable players to avoid embarrassment in future,” said Rachier.

Rachier’s remarks come in the wake of the return of midfielder Kenneth Muguna and former Tusker and Singida left back Shafique Batambuze.

The K’Ogalo fans will be anticipating a better season which begins in December. Gor , having clinched a 17th league title, will be competing on three fronts namely the Caf-Champions League, the league as well as the FKF-Shield, and will require squad depth to challenge on all the fronts.

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Harun Shakava appointed team captain

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Shakava seen here receiving the Sportpesa cup from Tanzanian cabinet minister Anthony Mavunde

Gor Mahia’s towering central defender Harun Shakava has been given the captains armband by coach Dylan Kerr. Shakava takes over from Musa Mohamed who has departed to KF Tirana.

Shakava has captained Gor Mahia before, most notably at the 2017 Sportpesa Supercup. Unlike in past seasons where players voted for the captain, this time it was a direct appointment by coach Dylan Kerr.

“Shakava will be my new leader on the pitch, I usually prefer a center back to captain my team and he is the best candidate for the same. As a matter of fact, the extra responsibility will make him mature and his game will improve” said Kerr to goal.com

Indeed most Kogalo captains have historically been defenders, most notably Julius Owino and Musa Mohamed and going back much further it was Peter Otieno “Bassanga”, Austin Oduor “Makamu” and Paul Ochieng “Kunde”.

Fans should trust coach Kerr’s judgment as he it is he who observes the players at close hand and knows which ones have good leadership qualities. Also Musa Mohamed’s game significantly improved when he was named captain. The same can be expected of Shakava.

Harun Shakava joined Kogalo before the 2014 season after an impressive run at Kakamega Homeboyz.

Goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch has been named as Vice Captain.

“I wanted to give Tuyisenge the assistant captain role but he said he wanted to concentrate on his game, so we settled on Oluoch, who is an experienced player as well, with perfect leadership qualities,” Kerr told goal.com

Oluoch joined Kogalo in 2015, taking over the starting goalkeeper spot from the long serving Jerim Onyango.

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The greatest goalkeepers ever to play for Gor Mahia

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With skipper  Jerim Onyango having finally decided to hung his gloves and his boots, its time to take a trip down memory lane to remember the best players ever to man the posts for Gor Mahia Kogalo.

James Sianga Abawa

Sianga pictured here while playing for Kenya Polytechnic

Mid 1970s to early 1980s: Dan Odhiambo, George Ayuka, Charles Ondiek

Dan Odhiambo and Mahmoud Abbas both pictured here, were rivals for the national team starting position

David Ochieng “Kamoga”

David Ochieng Kamoga at the 1987 All Africa games

Tairus Omondi “Tairero”

Tirus Omondi at CECAFA club cup 1991 with Fred Awich and Tom Odhiambo

Charles Omondi “Korea”

Omondi Korea during his recent days as a coach

Joseph Asembo

Joseph Asembo and Michael Kisaghi were the Gor Mahia goakleeping duo in 1995 and 1996

Mathew Ottamax and Victor Onyango

Ottamax and Tom Odhiambo in 1996 in London

Ivo Mapunda, Jerim Onyango, Boniface Oluoch

Mapunda and the terrible towel

 

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Due to lack of discipline in the team, Oluoch disciplined himself

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Gor Mahia goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch has recently announced that it was he who opted out of the match against Chemelil Sugar. There were some reports that he was left out of the team as a disciplinary measure due to his scuffle with coach Frank Nuttall.

A report by goal.com suggests that Oluoch asked to be left out.

“The reason he was not started was purely because he asked the technical bench to leave him out as he was still disturbed by what happened between him and the coach on Saturday.”  said a source

Oluoch was also fearing for his life.

“Furthermore, he also feared for his life as some fans had threatened to beat him up over the incident with coach Nuttall,” revealed the source

Perhaps these threats could have been avoided if the coach was empowered to hand out his own disciplinary measures. Since there are no disciplinary measures, some irate fans have taken it upon themselves to met out discipline and threats.

At Gor Mahia recently a number of players besides Oluoch have fallen below the threshold required for professionalism: Some disappeared for almost two months. Several others came back late for pre-season training. Two others were engaged in a scuffle at the Mombasa aiport.

The Kenyan scene is a stark contrast to the scene in the English premier league where managers are empowered to met out disciplinary measures for the slightest of offences. Below is Arsene Wengers disciplinary sheet courtesy of the Daily mail.

OFFENCE FINE
Non attendance of unused players at Home matches without permission of manager £1000
Late for training < 15 mins £250, > 15 mins £500
Late for treatment/massage < 15 mins £250, > 15 mins £500
Late for travel £500
Late for match day meetings / meals £250
Wrong kit on match days £100
Inappropriate clothing outside of the dressing room £100
Outdoor shoes in the dressing room £100
Newspapers, laptops and phones in the medical room £100
Newspapers in dressing room £100
Non production of urine sample for two consecutive weeks £200
Phone calls in the building (texting allowed) £500
No participating in commercial activities (including Club Day)

£500

This sets expectations among players and enforces a level of professionalism. It would be interesting to find out if Kogallo players still receive their full salaries for the month of January even if they missed half or all of it.

It is a stark contrast to previous years when chairmen like Zack Mbori suspended players for months and even years for indiscipline while coaches like Len Julians read the riot act to players for on the field incidents.

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Oluoch and Olunga key as Harambee Stars face Cape Verde

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Olunga scored against Zambia

Harambee Stars face a tall order when they take on Cape Verde on Friday. Firstly they will be playing against a side that is ranked number 32 in the FIFA rankings which is fourth in Africa. It is a starke contrast to Kenya who are ranked number 125 in the FIFA rankings. They are coached by Rui Aguas, a vastly experienced coach who also was the top scorer in the European champions cup in 1988. The Cape Verde team is composed entirely of Europe based players.

harambee stars preparations are usually bad but this time they have been especially bad. Both FKF and the Ministry of sports declined to provide any support for the national team with each party pointing fingers at the other. At one point the team did not even have a field to train in. The lack of support lowered the morale of the players many of whom showed up late. The players have expressed dissapointment that despite pleading for proper preparations and friendlies, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
“As usual the preparations have not been that good. It’s just up to the players to motivate themselves because we know the problems we are going through. We will give our best. Preparations are not always perfect but we are trying hard to work with what we have. Let fans come in large numbers and support us,” said Wanyama.

Nevertheless former Gor Mahia coach Bobby Williamson who now handles Harambee Stars was upbeat.

“I am happy with our training though the players keep arriving every day making it difficult to adjust. Preparations must be elaborate especially considering our opponents have pedigree and they are highly ranked in Africa and the World however I have told my players to use the home advantage though it is a pressure cooker situation they must remember they beat Mauritius scoring five goals away.”

“We are still waiting to see if our players such as Mandela,Origi, Keli will arrive in time for the game but the delay kind of worries me as most of them are part of our plans for the game. We will also dearly miss the services of Ayub Timbe who has been ruled out with injury. As a coach I am optimistic of good results and it is an opportunity to give our best in the prevailing circumstances while hoping for the best,” Williamson told supersport.com.

Foreign based players that have arrived in camp include are skipper Victor Wanyama of Southampton, Johana Omollo of Royal Antwerp, Allan Wanga of Azam Christian Bwamy of Follo in Norway and the former Gor Mahia duo of David Owino now at Zesco, and Teddy Akumu now at Al Khartoum.

Among the players who are likely to feature are Gor Mahia goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch who is sure to start between the posts given the absence of Kenya one Arnold Origi. Oluoch had a shakey performance against Congo in Brazzaville but his performance between the posts has shown steady improvement.

Spearheading the Kenya attack will be Gor Mahia striker Michael Olunga. His performances for the national team has been stellar. He was on target when Kenya played Zambia at Nyayo during which he was one of the few bright spots on the team.

Against Zambia, the national team was plagued by indiscipline before the match, culminating in the suspension of players like Danson Kago and Jesse Were, both of Tusker. At the time FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya vowed to met out lengthy suspensions. But coach Williamson has now recalled the duo.

The last time these two sides met was in 2003, Kenya won both home and away legs 1-0 and went on to qualify for the 2004 Africa Nations cup. On that occasion, Dennis Oliech scored the crucial goal at in the last match at Kasarani and was carried shoulder high by jubilant fans. This time things will likely be different.

Kickoff is on Friday November-13-2015 at 4pm. The venue is Nyayo national stadium.

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Olunga and Oluoch bag individual CECAFA awards

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Michael Olunga bagged the scoring title at the recently concluded CECAFA club cup. He scored 5 goals. Olunga also received the most plaudits of any player at this tournament for his clinical finishing, his precise assists and ability to take on defenders. His dexterity with the ball at his feet is excellent for a player his height.

Other top scorers were: Saleh Eldin Osman Bilal (Khartoum National) and Kipre Chetche (Azam), who scored four goals each. Malimi Busungu (Yanga) and John Bocco (Azam) scored three goals each.

Goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch was named as the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Oluoch has already established himself as the best keeper on the local scene. Adding a regional title is another feather in his cap.

Ivory Coast defender Serge Pascal Wawa Sfondo was named defender of the tournament and also player of the tournament. Despite playing with a 3 man defence, Azam did not concede a goal throughout.

Olunga though happy with his award, was unhappy at the final result.

“We were very optimistic as a team to try and give our dear fans something to smile about as they had travelled in large numbers to Dar es Salaam to give us support but it was not to be.”

“It was a gruelling game but in football you win some and lose some. Maybe we failed to click, but at least we gave a good performance throughout the tournament and it’s only fair to accept that it was not our day.”

“Individual rewards are good like the golden boot but I feel it would have been fantastic to be on the winners’ podium as a team. We have to now go back and concentrate on the league,” Olunga told supersport.com.

Gor Mahia have a lot to be proud about. It is a vast improvement on their performance from last season. The home team (in this case Azam) is always favoured to win. And No Kenyan team has come close to winning this tournament since Tusker won it over 5 years ago.  Gor Mahia can build on this success to challenge for honors in 2016.

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Boniface Oluoch says his nerves have settled

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Boniface Oluoch joined Gor Mahia in January of this season. Despite a shakey start that saw him concede 5 goals in the first six games, Oluoch has settled down. He has put on some solid performances between the posts and has been a key reason why Gor Mahia has conceded far fewer goals than any other team. He explains that when he first joined Gor Mahia, he was a nervous wreck.

“In Gor Mahia, there is no room for mistake, at all at all. You will lose the ground because fans will not forgive you. You have to be on your toes in every match. When I joined, in the first few games I was nervous; I was literally shaking in the goal post because I did not want to make any silly mistake. I had to be 100% concentrated to give my best,” Oluoch told goal.com.

Oluoch has now become accustomed to the pressure that comes with playing for Gor Mahia where only those with nerves of steel can thrive.

“Things are currently not bad, I am used to the fans but that has not reduced my level of commitment. I want to win every match with the team, the hunger is still there. I cannot talk of finishing the season unbeaten, all I can say, we take each game at a time and hope we will maintain the run. It feels good and we want to maintain it.” he continued.

Oluoch’s solid performances have seen national team coach Bobby Williamson entrust him with the starting line-up. He had a shakey performance against the Red Devils of Congo-Brazza. But he has seemingly settled down. He put on a solid performance when Kenya played Ethiopia including foiling a glorious chance when Ethiopia striker Assefa Behailu was left one on one with him.

Indeed whereas Kenya was eliminated by Ethiopia, Gor Mahia fans can pride themselves that they kept a clean sheet in large part due to Oluoch, Shakava, Musa Mohamed and captain courageous Collins Okoth.

Oluoch will be one of the players Gor Mahia will be counting on when the CECAFA cup starts next week. Gor Mahia will be seeking an opportunity to redeem themselves after a below par performance last season.

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Olunga, Oluoch, Gattuso lead Kenya against Congo

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Michael Olunga will likely lead the Kenya national team attack for the first time ever in a competitive game as Kenya take on Congo-Brazzaville in the opening match of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Olunga has played for the national team at various levels such as U20 and U23. He has played for the senior national team in friendly matches. This match against Congo is his first opportunity to be the focal point of the attack. Of course there are other attackers in the squad such as Allan Wanga, Noah Wafula and Jesse Were. But based on current form Olunga should be the man to lead Kenya’s attack especially in the absence of Dennis Oliech. Coach Williamson has taken a huge gamble in leaving Oliech out of the squad. He will be hoping that Olunga can vindicate his choice.

Other Gor Mahia players who could play are goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch and midfielder Collins Okoth “Gattuso”. The duo are experienced campaigners having played for the national team as far back as 2012. With this match being played away from home, Williamson might deploy a defensive formation in which case the tenacity of Gattuso will be crucial. If experience is the determining factor then Boniface Oluoch will be the man between the posts for Kenya. Ian Otieno, while talented, is highly untested.

For the Gor Mahia trio, it will be an opportunity to earn a measure of revenge after they were eliminated by AC Leopards of Congo-Brazza. But Congo-Brazza are 76 places above Kenya in the Fifa world rankings and will, obviously, start as favourites, more so, since they are playing at home.

In form midfielder Ali Abondo was surprisingly left out of the squad. Other shock exclusions were Peter Opiyo, Clifford Miheso who are based in Finland as well as Oliech and Mariga. While keeper Arnold Origi was left behind because the incompetents at FKF did not send paperwork to his club on time.

Harambee Stars Squad

Goalkeepers: Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia), Ian Otieno (Posta Rangers)

Defenders: David Ochieng (Al-Tawoun, Saudi Arabia), Aboud Omar (Un-attached), Jackson Saleh (AFC Leopards), David Owino (Zesco United, Zambia), Edwin Wafula (AFC Leopards).

Midfielders: Francis Kahata (FK Tirana, Albania), Victor Wanyama (Southampton, England), Ayub Timbe (KRC Genk, Belgium), Paul Were (Unattached), Humphrey Mieno (Tusker), Kevin Kimani (Tusker), Stephen Wakhanya (Chemelil Sugar), Collins ‘Gattuso’ Okoth (Gor Mahia), Anthony Akumu (Al Khartoum, Sudan).

Strikers: Allan Wanga (Unattached), Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia), Noah Wafula (AFC Leopards), Jesse Were (Tusker).

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Boniface Oluoch aiming even higher

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Boniface Oluoch joined Gor Mahia in January. Gor Mahia had been pursuing Oluoch’s signature since as far back as 2013 but Tusker resisted. It was only after he was deemed surplus to requirements at Tusker that he became available to Gor Mahia. And he has not disappointed.

Even when Gor Mahia conceded 6 goals in their first 5 matches, it was clear that Oluoch was not to blame. In the last 10 games he has thoroughly impressed by keeping 10 succesive clean sheets. The 10 clean sheets is a KPL record. But Oluoch is not taking all the credit.

“It is a performance I did not expect especially at Gor Mahia who also had two very good goalkeepers in Jerim (Onyango) and David Juma,”Oluoch, a two time KPL best goalkeeper said during the Mchakamchaka show on AuperSport on Tuesday evening. I can only thank my team mates especially the defenders who have also played a key role in not only ensuring that we remain unbeaten but we also keep ten successive clean sheets,” he said to supersport.com.

Oluoch was not under any illusions about what it would take to gain the starting position.

“When I came to Gor, I did not expect to be the number one keeper, but the coach has shown confidence in me and I can only pay back by giving my best. At this point, I know my best is yet to come.”he continued.

Oluoch is confident that the team’s imperious form that saw them finish unbeaten in the first leg will continue in the second leg.

“Every player is giving his best when they are given a chance to play. We are playing as a team and working together for success.”he said to supersport.com.

Profile of Boniface Oluoch

Born on August 20, 1987, Oluoch had spent 5 seasons at Tusker. Back in 2012, he had been called to the national team as a very promising youngster. Many saw him as a potential heir to Arnold Origi. However, he has been plagued by inconsistent form often losing his starting position to players like Samuel Odhiambo. But when on form, Oluoch has been sensational and arguably the best goalkeeper in the league.

 

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