Gor Mahia open internal probe after heavy Pyramids defeat

Gor Mahia have opened an internal investigation following their heavy CAF Champions League defeat by Egyptian side Pyramids FC, with the Kenyan champions also reported to have taken disciplinary action against some players.

Gor Mahia were eliminated from the competition after suffering a 5-1 defeat to Pyramids in the second leg of their first preliminary-round tie in Cairo on Sunday.

The result completed a 7-1 aggregate defeat, after the Kenyan side had lost the first leg 2-0 at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium a week earlier.

The club is now seeking to establish what contributed to the disappointing performance, with an internal probe reportedly launched as preparations continue for the new Kenyan Premier League campaign.

The investigation comes after coach Charles Akonnor expressed strong frustration with his players following the defeat, particularly over the individual errors that allowed Pyramids to score.

Akonnor said after the match that four of the goals conceded were the result of mistakes by his players and described the performance as particularly disappointing given the experience within the Gor Mahia squad.

“I am really upset. I am not the type of coach who likes to talk about players, but today it was so disappointing,” Akonnor said after the match.

The Ghanaian coach had challenged his players before the return leg to show greater discipline and follow his tactical instructions after the first-leg defeat in Nairobi.

However, Gor Mahia were unable to contain Pyramids, who took control of the return leg through goals from Walid El Karti, Nasser Maher and Youssef Obama before half-time.

David Okoth pulled one back for Gor Mahia in first-half stoppage time, giving the visitors a brief opportunity to restore some hope.

Pyramids, however, added two more goals late in the match through Mostafa Ziko and Mahmoud Abdel-Hafiz to complete a convincing victory.

The defeat brought an early end to Gor Mahia’s continental campaign and has intensified scrutiny of the squad ahead of the domestic season.

Reports indicate that the club has also taken disciplinary action against some members of the squad as part of its response to the disappointing Champions League exit.

The reported measures come as Gor Mahia look to address the issues exposed by their two matches against Pyramids before turning their attention fully to the new Premier League campaign.

The Kenyan champions had entered the tie hoping to make an impact in Africa but were ultimately outclassed by Pyramids, who progressed with a 7-1 aggregate victory.

For Akonnor, the focus now is on ensuring the mistakes made in Cairo are not repeated when Gor Mahia begin their domestic campaign.

The coach had previously stressed the importance of discipline and executing instructions on the pitch, particularly after the first-leg defeat, when he criticised the team’s midfield performance and urged his players to translate their work in training into competitive matches.

With the internal review now underway, Gor Mahia’s management will be expected to determine whether further action is required as the club attempts to put the disappointing Champions League campaign behind it and prepare for the challenges of the new domestic season.