Gors Zico defends under fire goalie Oluoch

Gor Mahia FC assistant head coach Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno has jumped to the defense of goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch following yet another unconvincing display between the sticks.

Oluoch received huge social media backlash after he was faulted for conceding sloppy goals as Gor went down 2-1 to Petro Atletico during Wednesday’s CAF Confederation Cup clash in Angola.

But Zico has backed his number 1, saying even the best custodians sometimes have bad days in goal and calls to have him dropped were misplaced.

“Boniface is an experienced goalkeeper and even world’s best goalkeepers concede very easy goals. We as coaches look at where the blunder started, who was dispossessed of the ball before blaming the goalkeeper,’’ Zico told Citizen Digital.

The 32-year-old Oluoch received a similar level of criticism when he twice allowed cheap goals past him in the opening half against Zamalek SC although Gor went on to defeat the Egyptian giants 4-2.

Responding to another criticism aimed at their squad selection, Zico insisted the technical bench always have their reasons for starting or leaving out a player as they constantly monitor their progress and how hard they work in training.

As opposed to when he was one of the key men for Gor under head coach Dylan Kerr, George ‘Blackberry’ Odhiambo has had to deal with less prominent role with new boss Hassan Oktay in charge.

The forward has been replaced by Boniface Omondi in the starting line-up with Blackberry mostly having to come off the bench yet fans insist he could offer more potency to Gor’s attack.

“Recently when we played Zamalek, the same fans booed Blackberry. We know these players better since we are with them daily  and know who is ready for what match,’’ Zico said.

The former Kenyan international urged Gor to give a positive response to their defeat at Petro Atletico when they host Pool D leaders Hussein Dey in their third CAF Confederation Cup group stage clash.

Gor face a congested 10-day schedule that will see them host Hussein Dey at the end of it  on February 24 but two league clashes against Sofapaka FC and Western Stima in between.

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Gor Mahia FC Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno George 'Blackberry' Odhiambo Boniface Oluoch

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