CAF Champions League prelims: Akonnor blames costly errors as Gor Mahia suffer heavy Pyramids defeat

Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor has criticised his players for a series of individual mistakes after their heavy aggregate 5-1 defeat by Egyptian side Pyramids in the CAF Champions League.

The Kenyan champions were punished repeatedly by defensive errors, with Akonnor particularly frustrated by mistakes from senior players and members of the national team.

The former Ghana coach said Gor Mahia effectively handed Pyramids four of their goals through avoidable errors.

“To be honest, I’m really, really upset with the individual errors that we’ve made,” Akonnor said.

“We gave them four goals as a result of individual mistakes. Mistakes – it’s becoming too much.”

Akonnor singled out several players for criticism, including defenders Kibwage and Frank, as well as goalkeeper Kevin Omondi, who has represented Kenya at international level.

According to Akonnor, Kibwage failed to clear the ball when he had the opportunity, while Frank also failed to deal decisively with a dangerous situation.

The coach was equally disappointed with the decision-making of his goalkeeper.

“Some of the guys you even rely on, players that are senior players, national team players, you don’t expect them to make such mistakes,” he added.

“Kibwage, he was not able to kick the ball out. Frank also had the ball, instead of kicking it.

“Even our goalkeeper, national team keeper, there were two people who gave him the chance to pass the ball; he chose otherwise.”

The result means Gor Mahia has been eliminated from the CAF Champions League in the first round of the preliminary round.

The Ghanaian coach will now have to address Gor Mahia’s defensive shortcomings as they now hope to defend their Kenyan topflight title.