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!