CAF Champions League: Gor Mahia boss Akonnor blames players for first-leg defeat to Pyramids

Gor Mahia manager Charles Akonnor says his players failed to follow his instructions during their 2-0 defeat by Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League.

Walid El Karti and Mahmoud Saber scored as Pyramids secured a comfortable away victory in the first leg of their preliminary-round tie in Kenya on Sunday.

The two sides will meet again in the second leg in New Cairo on Sunday, with the winner advancing to the second preliminary round.

Akonnor believes Gor Mahia could have avoided defeat had his players followed his tactical instructions.

“We trained and did very well, but when we played on Sunday, they didn’t follow my instructions,” Akonnor told Nation Sport, according to Pulse Sports Kenya.

“It is professionalism to do what the coach instructs rather than what you feel as a player on the pitch. That is why we lost.

“You saw when I made changes, became angry, and instructed them to play my style; we changed the tempo of the game.

“Had they done what I instructed, Pyramids wouldn’t have dominated and played like they were the home team.”

The former Ghana manager also identified Gor Mahia’s midfield as a major weakness in the match.

“We performed poorly in the midfield, and that was our source of weakness which allowed them into the game,” he added.

Despite trailing by two goals, Akonnor has not given up hope of overturning the deficit in Egypt.

“In football, everything is possible, but the players have to believe in themselves,” he said.

“Without courage, self-belief and confidence, they won’t go anywhere.”