Boniface Oluoch explains how he ensures harmony among talented Gor Mahia goalkeepers

Boniface Oluoch explains how he ensures harmony among talented Gor Mahia goalkeepers

Joel Omotto 08:00 - 29.06.2024

Gor Mahia goalkeeping coach Boniface Oluoch has shared how he ensures the club’s goalkeepers maintain high levels of performances to avoid the ire of the fans.

Gor Mahia goalkeeping coach Boniface Oluoch feels goalkeepers who succeed at the club need to be good at their job and also have a thick skin.

Oluoch, a bonafide club legend, who won five league titles with K’Ogalo has seen it all at Gor Mahia is now sharing his knowledge with the club’s current crop of goalkeepers.

K’Ogalo have an embarrassment of riches in between the posts with Kevin Omondi, Gad Mathews, Caleb Otieno and youngster Dolf Junior Owino.

Mathews was to go-to man in 2022-23 as K’Ogalo won the league title but Omondi, who joined from Sofapaka before the just concluded campaign, was trusted in goal in 2023-24.

To show just how competitive, Otieno was given the opportunity when Omondi was suspended, showing the kind of job Oluoch has on his hands.

The former Tusker goalkeeper says the position is one of the most scrutinised by the very demanding Gor Mahia fans hence the need for those in goal to show that they deserve it.

“You need to prove it to earn the trust of the coach and fans and with good performances, fans will love you,” Oluoch told Pulse Sports.

“Also as their trainer, I need to ensure I give opportunities to others in case of cup games and friendly matches so that they do not feel left out. That is the only way to give the confidence so that when their times come up, they grab it.”

Outgoing coach Johnathan McKinstry resisted the temptation of tinkering with his goalkeepers during his two-year stay even if he had a number of capable hands at the club.

Mathews was trusted in 2022-23 but when Omondi proved to be equally good, at the time the latter was injured, he was handed the chance and never lost it.

The good competition has benefited Gor Mahia as Mathews won the Golden Glove in 2022-23 while Omondi did the same in 2023-24.

It remains to be seen whom McKinstry’s successor will trust between the sticks for Gor Mahia next season when they will challenge domestically as well as the CAF Champions League.

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