The goalkeeping legend has given reasons why he is worried that Kenya may take long before finding another top player between the posts.
Former Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch has decreed the low standards of goalkeeping in Kenya.
The league is a wash with goalkeepers of different qualities but Oluoch, who already works with four at Gor Mahia, is not convinced that the entire top flight has the right qualities.
The former Gor Mahia and Tusker star says Kenya had a variety of top goalkeepers to choose from when he played but now, he struggles to see good ones across the division.
“When I was playing, we had Arnold Origi, myself, Duncan Ochieng, Jackton Odhiambo and James Saruni about five top keepers that you would name but now, how many such keepers do we have?” Oluoch posed during an interview with Pulse Sports.
Gor Mahia are in the market for another goalkeeper despite having four custodians on their books but there are reasons why strengthening the department is vital.
“We have a problem with keepers in Kenya. Right now, I can only see one who is good enough in the league because goalkeeping is not an easy job.”
Oluoch identified some of the qualities that make a great goalkeeper, things he is not seeing in the current crop of goaltenders.
“The goalkeeper is the last line of defence; he is the one who saves the mistakes of the defenders. A good goalkeeper must be vocal, aggressive and command his area, they must have character and I do not see that in the ones we have in the league,” he added.
Oluoch now works as Gor Mahia’s goalkeeper trainer, tuning Gad Mathews, Kevin Omondi, Caleb Omondi and Junior Dolf Owino but he also has his eyes over the league for what the rest has to offer.
The 38-year-old is among the most decorated players in Kenya, having won eight league titles with both Tusker and Gor Mahia, and won 29 caps for Harambee Stars between 2010 and 2018.
Harambee Stars have been relying on Bandari goalkeeper Bryne Odhiambo and Patrick Matasi of Kenya Police in recent years although the latter has not always covered himself in glory while Faruk Shikalo was also handed an opportunity during the Mapinduzi Cup early this month.
