6 lessons from Kenya's victory over Uganda at CECAFA 2015

After a nightmarish second round, second leg World Cup 2018 qualifier outing against Cape Verde only six days ago, Kenya returned to the pitch on a mission to defend the CECAFA title they won in 2013 a completely different side.

Uganda must have recalled with relish the shambolic preparations and travel plans that ended Harambee Stars dream of featuring in the groups phase of the Russia 2018 qualifiers, but by the time the match day referee blew his final whistle, Uganda had soaked in two goals without reply.

What lessons did we learn from this tie that has tended to go Uganda's way in recent times?

1. Boniface Oluoch has undergone a real transformation
I did not expect to say this in my two consecutive posts but here I am: Boniface Oluoch has become a real good goalkeeper. The good form he has enjoyed with Gor Mahia and the opportunities he has had with Harambee Stars have obviously had a positive effect on him. His previous uncertainties and erratic judgement have gone away and today he was an assured custodian in Kenya's goal. Suddenly, Arnold Origi is not being missed that much.

2. Kenya can actually defend

Apart from Boniface Oluoch having a perfect day in the office, Harambee Stars defenders were superb. The partnership between David 'Calabar' Owino and David 'Cheche' Ochieng in central defence was just a joy to watch. The two cleared aerial balls from the danger area beautifully, timed their tackles to perfection and imposed their physical presence in front of Kenya's goal so well that they deserve huge credit for the clean sheet that Kenya kept in the match. On the flanks, the returning Noah Abich was an assured and experienced general, completely aware of when to attack and when to defend his right channel. On the left flank, the fast rising new kid on the block, Omar Mbongi played as though he has been playing for the national team for years, the kid is definitely going places. considering that Kenya has had so many problems in this position over the years, that is a huge statement

3. Kenya's midfield can play nice football

Well, some people, especially opposing coaches, have a habit of calling Kenya a 'physical team devoid of technical finesse'. I believe that is an unfortunate and misplaced stereotype. I have watched Harambee Stars since I was a kid and midfield has been one of the strongest departments of the team. Even in the absense of Ayub Timbe, Victor Wanyama and Johanna Omollo, Kenya's midfield functioned perfectly and totally outplayed the Ugandans. Kudos to Collins Okoth, Anthony Akumu, Clifton Miheso and Eric Johanna

4. Kenya is not lacking in striking power

When I watched Jacob Keli running Ugandan defenders rugged, I wondered why he had not played enough times for Harambee Stars in recent times. The lad was sharp, light and creative and he was rewarded with a beautiful goal. As for Michael Olunga, well, he is making it a habit of scoring in every match that he plays. My only issue is why coach Bobby Williamson brought him on in place of Jacob Keli rather than Jesse Were. I was particularly disappointed by Were's miss in front of open goal. I hope Keli and Olunga can play together in Kenya's next match. And we have the experienced Allan Wanga on the bench too - he won us the CECAFA title in 2013!

5. Kenya did not deserve to lose against Cape Verde

Even with all the noise about Cape Verde being ranked number four in Africa, Harambee Stars gave a real good account of themselves when the Cape Verdians came to Nairobi. With some clinical finishing and some luck, the first leg tie should have finished with more than one goal and the story might have become more interesting for the return leg in Praia four days later.

6. With proper football management, Kenya can go far

The classic Kenyan football mismanagement was in full display as FKF messed with Kenya's chances of prolonging their 2018 World Cup dream. What with players protesting non-payment of allowances and air ticket non-refunds. In what could be entered for an Oscar of some sort, the so-called football managers messed with the team's travel plans and it was a miracle that the team actually did leave for Cape Verde at all. Not much else could be expected from the team, however, and to me, their 2-0 loss sounded like a victory. If only we could get serious guys with real interest in development of Kenyan football, even the World Cup finals would be within our reach. For now though, let us take care of the successful CECAFA championship defence. 

Oluoch, you finally earn my plaudits!

I am a regular critic of Kenya's national team goalkeeper Boniface Oluoch. Every time I have seen him in Kenya's goal, I have shuddered in fear, praying hard that he doesn't make his inexplicable dashes out of goal.

Yesterday, as Kenya beat Cape Verde 1-0 in the first leg of the 2018 World Cup second round qualifier, I had nothing but admiration for the Gor Mahia custodian. He was so calm around his goal area, and he marshalled well his defenders in moments of anxiety.

Even when Cape Verde managed to shoot on target - which was rare - Oluoch was well placed to make the perfect save.

It was a bit strange that in the wake of such poor preparations, Kenya put on such a decent performance. Cape Verde were supposed to come to Nairobi and run riot, itself quite a weird expectation, considering that ten years ago, the Islanders were mere babies in African football and we confirmed this by beating them home and away when we last met.

I suspect they were themselves highly expectant of an easy victory, considering the huge progress they have made even as Kenya has slid down the ranks of world football. Fortunately, it turned out to be quite an easy victory for Kenya. Indeed, the Stars should have pumped in a few more goals into the Cape Verdian goal but for the finishing errors by Kenya's forward line.

As sweet as the victory tasted, it is only a job half done. The tough part awaits in four day's time when Harambee Stars return to Cape Verde, almost twelve years since they registered a famous 1-0 victory there.

Then, not much was expected from the tiny Atlantic ocean Islanders, but things are remarkably different this time round. Sitting in a fairy-tale position as the 32nd ranked team in FIFA's global football rankings, Cape Verde have risen tremendously from a lowly 182nd position in 2000 to emerge as a feared African football powerhouse. How a tiny nation of half a million people has managed to achieve such a remarkable feat is a story for another day.

When Kenyan players take the pitch on Tuesday evening, they must remain awake - for all ninety minutes - to the fact that they are playing a dangerous side that can quickly turn their current feelings of elation into a painful experience. Stay alert for ninety minutes and we are in the group stages of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

We have one motivating factor going into the match - we have played Cape Verde three times and won 1-0 three times. Another 1-0 scoreline in Praia is all we need! To hell with FIFA rankings! Come on Haramee Stars! And, Boniface Oluoch, Bravo!

Letter to K'ogalo - Congratulations and aim higher next season

Hi K'ogalo, allow me to express my heartfelt congratulations to you for raising the standards of football in our country once again.

In 1987, I keenly followed you as you progressed through the preliminary stages  of the then African Cup Winners Cup (Nelson Mandela Cup) and currently, the CAF Confederation Cup, before finally destroying Esperance FC of Tunisia in the final to make history as the only regional club to have lifted a Continental trophy.

Twenty Eight years later that record still stands. I have just witnessed another record-equalling performance by you as you have won the 2015 SportPesa Premier League undefeated. The fact that you have won the premier league title three times in a row surely makes you one of the greatest football squads ever assembled in Kenya. In that respect, allow me to salute your coaches and their technical committees as well.

Even as you made every one in Kenya's football tremble in your wake. You went to Tanzania and made us proud by ably competing at the 2015 CECAFA Club Championship. I still believe you were capable of beating Azam FC of Tanzania in the final but somehow, you just did not put up a real performance when it mattered most.

As I am writing this, you are right on target to win all trophies available locally and doing that will only enhance your pedigree some more.

At this juncture, allow me to warn you that success has its costs. The values of most of your players must have increased from what they were at the beginning of the season. As such, it is not a matter of if but, rather, when people will come calling at your door with tempting deals to lure your star performers away. Even your coach might become a target of this talent raid. Yo need to put up a real fight to keep your great squad together.

Even as you try to guard your players and coaches from covetous suitors, you need to strengthen in your areas of weakness. I can tell you for free that you need to bring in a star goalkeeper if you intend to - and you need to - put up a decent performance at the continental stage next year. I believe you also need to get in a star defender and midfielder as well.

For the year 2016, I set for you the targets of successfully defending or winning your local competitions, but more important, I would love to see you winning the 2016 CECAFA Club Championship and progressing to the group stages of the CAF Champions League. Do that and you begin to re-establish yourselves as a continental football force once again.

I cannot conclude this letter without paying tribute to your great army of supporters - what could Kenyan stadiums look like without the colourful green army? My humble request is that your followers - or the few bad elements - drop the ugly habit that is football hooliganism. You will realise that doing that will actually enhance your reputation as you hunt for sponsors - a highly valuable component of modern football.