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Former Gor Mahia goalkeeper opens up on why Benni MacCarthy picked Ian Otieno as Harambee Stars first-choice shot stopper.
Former Gor Mahia goalkeeper Mathews Ottamax has explained why Ian Otieno should be maintained as the first-choice keeper for Harambee Stars.
When Benni McCarthy named his line-up to take on The Gambia and Gabon in March 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Otieno was given a nod over other viable options but Ottamax argues that McCarthy was justified for his decision.
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“At 31 and having been out of the national team for quite some time, Ian Otieno found himself back in Harambee Stars starting line-up under the new boss, Benni McCarthy, from South Africa, when most of us were beginning to forget about him," Ottamax told the People Daily.
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Otieno, who plies trade with South African Premier Soccer League side Richard's Bay, has been a class act for the side after he became first choice shot-stopper.
“Still, many local football fans would want to argue his inclusion in the national team by the South African head coach ahead of the younger goalkeepers, probably saying it’s because he plays in McCarthy’s native league, considering also his choice of Polokwane’s Brian Bwire, who deputised Ian in the Stars’ recent international matches," Ottamax insisted.
Experience edge
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15:30 - 16.05.2025
Mashemeji Derby, Kip Keino Classic Thrown Into Limbo as Tartan Track Laying at Nyayo Stadium Hits Major Snag
Nyayo Stadium had been closed yet again for the instalation of a new tartan track ahead of the Kip Keino Classic and the 97th Mashemeji Derby.
Ottamax, in his assessment of Benni McCarthy's selection criteria, added that the goalkeeping department requires experience.
"Another intriguing factor that I want to believe Coach Benni McCarthy might have considered when naming his goalkeepers is the age and experience of his first choice, borrowed from the SA Premier Soccer League.
"If you look at the league, the average age of the goalkeepers is roughly pegged at 30.1%, with Denis Onyango from Uganda still active for Mamelodi Sundowns at 40 years old with 10 games played, seven clean sheets, and only missing thrice on the team’s match list in 30 matches as the oldest keeper."
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17:57 - 18.05.2025
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Gor Mahia were held by a resilient Murang’a Seal side in a tense FKF Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon.
The former AFC Leopards goalkeeper says that Otieno has had better performance in the Premier Soccer League and that gives him an edge over his national rivals.
"Out of the 35 goalkeepers used in the South African Premier League this season, Kenya’s Ian Otieno produced the most outstanding performance, gaining 8.2 points in their one-nil loss to Orlando Pirates,” he stated.
Ottamax enjoyed donning the Harambee Stars jersey during his decorated career.
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