Oluoch doesn’t read Facebook posts and loves his little Gimzo “Kabambe” that knows no internet

HARAMBEE STARS
Kenya Harambee Stars goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch saves against Congo during their 2017 AFCON qualifier match at the Stade Marien Ngouabi in Owande, Congo on June 14, 2015. The match ended 1-1. Photo/Stafford Ondego/www.Pic-centre.com/FKF (CONGO)

Boniface Oluoch admits he was nervous against Congo Brazzaville in their Group E Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, but laughed off suggestions he slept on the job.

And while enjoying the full backing of coach Bobby Williamson, a relaxed Oluoch even revealed amid hearty laughter, that he is a proud owner of a very basic phone, a kabambe in common parlance, which cannot connect to the Internet.

Speaking ahead of Harambee Stars’ departure to Ethiopia for their African Nations Championship first leg qualifier, the Gor Mahia shot stopper said: “I don’t read what people post on Facebook or Twitter. In fact my phone is a kabambe.

“It is only when someone calls me to ask if I have read some comments that I become aware, but I just dismiss it,” Oluoch said at City Stadium, yesterday.

“It is true I was a bit shaky on the day, but that happens in football. And, besides goalkeeping is tough because you cover for other people’s mistakes.”

The penalty conceded against Congo on Sunday, was the first goal Oluoch had let in, in 937 minutes of competitive football.

Coach Williamson, however, insists he is a top goalkeeper.

“I thought he had a good game. He made a couple of decent saves. Sure, he made a couple of poor decisions but you understand he is playing with a new back four. Not the same players he is with at Gor Mahia.

“I believe him. He is a good goalkeeper. I have told him not to read newspapers and social media because it is full of negativity.”

Oluoch looks set to stay between the posts against Ethiopia on Sunday in the Africa Nations Championship, a tournament reserved for players playing their trade in domestic leagues.

“I need people to understand me. My confidence dropped on Sunday and I made some poor decisions, but we played as a team. Defenders did well to cover me whenever I left my area to deal with attacks.

“Indeed, communication was a bit of a problem because of noise levels inside the stadium. Ahead of the Ethiopia match, we need  to find our character and everything will be OK,” Oluoch said.

Coach Williamson has called up Tusker defender Llyod Wahome after Gor Mahia’s Mohamed Musa picked up an injury. Haron Shakava (Gor Mahia) has also been ruled out of the Ethiopia tie as he is recovering from a bout of malaria.