Akonnor backs Gor Mahia to finish top despite recent setback

Gor Mahia head coach Charles Akonnor remains confident his side will finish top of the FKF Premier League despite a recent dip in form.

The Kenyan champions suffered a defeat to KCB before being held to a draw by Nairobi United, raising questions about their momentum after an impressive run of results.

However, the Ghanaian coach believes the setbacks are part of the challenges of a long title race and insists his players have the quality and character to recover.

“The belief is that on the final day, when the league comes to an end, we’ll be on top,” Akonnor said.

Gor enjoyed an outstanding October, winning all four of their matches to earn Akonnor the Coach of the Month award.

The former Ghana international attributed the revival to efforts to rebuild the players’ confidence following a difficult spell after their CECAFA and CAF Champions League campaigns.

“We arranged for a psychologist to talk to the boys to have a different feel of what it is to be a footballer and also to have a different voice,” he explained.

The intervention helped restore the team’s focus and sparked a four-match winning streak.

Akonnor, however, acknowledged that maintaining such consistency throughout the season would be difficult, particularly as their opponents continue to study their style of play.

“As we go along, other teams are watching us, and they also find a strategy to outsmart us,” he said.

He urged supporters to remain patient, pointing out that even some of the world’s biggest teams experience difficult periods.

Akonnor cited Brazil, Barcelona and Manchester City as examples of established football institutions that have also suffered unexpected defeats.

For the Gor coach, the most important factor is how his players respond to setbacks.

He said the defeat to KCB exposed weaknesses that needed attention, while the subsequent draw against Nairobi United demonstrated the team’s ability to fight back.

“We lost against KCB for certain reasons, and that reason allowed us to work hard, to improve in those areas,” he said.

Akonnor described Nairobi United as a difficult opponent, admitting they have consistently troubled Gor Mahia.

“They’ve always been a thorn in our flesh,” he added.

He was nevertheless encouraged by his side’s response, particularly their ability to recover and secure an equaliser.

“If you have a team like that that can come from nowhere to equalise, it’s a very good sign,” he said.

The coach also believes the progress made under his leadership is evident in the individual development of his players.

He singled out midfielder Alpha Onyango, whose performances have earned him a return to the Harambee Stars after previously losing his place in the national team.

Akonnor revealed that he had held some difficult conversations with the midfielder but praised his willingness to accept criticism and work towards improving.

“Some of them were dirty. But I think he has accepted that in good faith. He’s worked very, very well to get there,” he said.

The Ghanaian also praised the squad’s collective spirit, saying his players had maintained a positive attitude despite occasional disagreements with the technical team.

He added that seeing his players earn international recognition was more rewarding than his individual achievements.

Akonnor described his latest Coach of the Month award as emotional, considering the challenges Gor had faced before their October resurgence. He insisted the recognition would not have been possible without the players’ contributions.

The award was his third since the monthly coaching honours were reintroduced, making him the coach with the most wins during that period.

He also used the occasion to commend other coaches in the league, including the KCB technical team, for their work and growing competitiveness.

Akonnor believes the improving standards of the FKF Premier League reflect the wider development of Kenyan football but called for increased investment from the government, private sector and football authorities.

“Kenyan football is on a different level. They are improving,” he said.

With the international break offering an opportunity to assess recent performances, Akonnor hopes the lessons from the KCB defeat and the response against Nairobi United will help his team return stronger.

He acknowledged that there is still a long way to go in the title race but remains confident in his players’ ability to deliver.

“So far, it’s been OK, but it’s not done yet. The journey is too long,” he said.

Despite their recent stumble, Akonnor is convinced Gor Mahia will have the final say when the season reaches its conclusion.